Sid-fa
DIARY
OF
CAPgAIF^ U-BOATS, NORWAY
1 AUGUST - 15 SEPTEMBER, 1<
1 r_ 15 _QCTQ3ER, 1944
PG Numbers 31SG3-31866
v
' '
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WAR DIARY
OP
CAPTAIN U-BOATS, NORWAY
1 AUGUST - 15 SEPTEMBER, 1944
AND
1-15 OCTOBER, 1944
PG Numbers 31863-31866
Grid charts referred to may be
found in the War Diary for 18
January to 30 June, 1943.
CONFIDENTIAL
WAR DIARY
OF
CAPTAIN U-BOATS, NORWAY
1-15 AUGUST, 1944
PG/51865
CONFIDENTIAL
1 August, 1944.
A. Enemy situation;
I. Air reconnaissance:
Flieger Fuehrer 5:
2 Ju 88 on meteorological and shipping reconnais-
sance, route Banak - Kolguev North - Yugorski
Strait - Kara Strait - Kostin Strait - Banak.
1 Ju 88 took off at 1001, overdue since 2000.
Flleger Fuehrer 4?
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance in the
sea area west of the Faeroes from 0315 to 1144,
enemy not sighted. Faeroes not examined because
of mist.
Flieger Fuehrer 5;
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance, route
Barduf os - AB 9595 - 5651 - 5477 - Vacrnes from
0244 to 0929. Route exhaustively examined by
radar, partly examined by visual reconnaissance,
enemy not sighted.
II. Reports on the enemy;
(a) By U-boats ; None.
(b) By air reconnaissance; None.
(c) By "naval forces; None.
(d) By radio intercept service;
Sighting reports from Russian signal stations;
Chirachi: on 31 July at 1431 1 mineswoopcr,
course 100°.
Gape Kostin; on 31 July 1 minesweeper, course
115°.
Cape Stolbovoi; on 31 July at 1500 1 mine-
sweeper, courso 100°.
Pummanki area; 3 M/T.B.s.
Gorlo Strait/Archangel area: destroyers
"Grcmyashchi" , "Uritski" , "B", "K", 3 mine-
sweepers and 1 motor minesweeper .
Bclushya/Kara Sea: 1 minesweeper.
Britain; no units intercepted in the Polyarno/
Archangel area.
Bearings; From Kirkcncs on 31 July at 1219
British unit in 263°.
( ° ) By G.I.S. stations : None .
-1,190-
CONFIDENTIAL
3. U-boats :
III. U-boat positions and alterations of position:
(a) Positions at 0800; '
Group "Trutz" :
U 347 AB 5369)
U 425 A^ 5967) in attack ar°as' dGpth
U 668 1b 6?95) °f 3WCGP 5° ^^ '
U 394 AB 9189)
U 957 Hf 88 on special operation.
In port:
U 278, 362, 365, 711, 997 Hammcrfcst,
U 507, 344, 354, 363, 636, 703, 739, 956, 965,
968, 992 Narvik,
U 312, 387, 737 Trondhoim,
U 313, 315, 716 Bergen.'
(b) U-boats homeward and outward bound:
U 995 proceeding via inner leads from Narvik
to Trondhoim.
IV. Current U-boat operations:
(a) Convoy operations: None. .
(b) Operational measures to intercept enemy
traffic:
5 boats in formation northeast of Jan Maycn.
When. Battle Group's exercises have been
concluded and the ships are again in port,
the area east of 15° E will again be open for
group ,?Trutz". Boats will be in their former
formation.
2020 Radio message 2005/751 sent:
Group "Trutz" from Captain U-boats:
"Battle Group has put in. to port. Limitations
of operational area as given in radio message
0218/723 are canceled."
(c ) Special operations by single boats:
U 957 (Schaar) on reconnaissance in Kara Sea.
The ice situation at the southern approaches
to the Kara Sea as observed by air reconnais-
sance has been passed on to "Schaar" .
The sighting reports in II (d) from Russian
signal stations in the region of Pechora Soa
were passed on to "Schaar" in radio message
1448/748 at 1613.
-1,191-
CONFIDENTIAL
V . Reports of successes : None .
C. Surface forces:
Battle Group's exercises have been- concluded.
(See under IV (b) ) .
D. Organizational ; «
0150 Teleprinter message Secret 3140 A/FS A Ops.
received from C-in-C U-boats Ops.:
"U 673 (Sauer), which up to now has been
administratively under the command of 13th U-boat
Flotilla, has put in to western France (St.
Nazaire). The boat will remain in the west and
.. is to be allocated to a western flotilla."
2350 Teleprinter message Most Secret 00132 A Ops.
received from Naval War Staff, Second Division,
C-in-C U-boats, Ops.
"Re Captain U-boats, - Norway Most Secret 3870 A 1:
U 293 (Klingspor) and U 771 (Block) will not be
assigned to 11th and 13th U-boat Flotillas. They
are to remain with group Central."
E. Survey of the situation:
Re D:
"After the loss of U 361 (Scidcl) and U 742
( Schwas smann) , only 29 U-boats remain under
the command of Captain U-boats, . Norway.
p.p. Eckermann.
2 August, 1944.
A. Enemy situation:
I. Air reconnaissance:
Fliegcr Fuehrer 5:
1 .Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance, routo
Banak - Bear Island - Banak from 0402 to 0836,
nothing to report, exhaustive.
Fliegcr Fuehror 4:
2 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance west of
the Faeroes. Faeroes not exhaustively examined,
cnomy not sighted.
-1,192-
CONFIDENTIAL
Flieger Fuehrer 5:
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance in the
Jan Mayen area from 0321 to 1030. Route 60%, Jan
Mayen 10$ examined, enemy not sighted.
II. Reports on the enemy:
(a) By U-boats : U 394 reported enemy submarine,
see under IV (b) .
....(b) By air reconnaissance: None.
(c) By naval forces : None.
(d) By radio intercept service:
On 1 August 3 for the first time 2 flying boats
were intercepted on a flight from America to
Russia, intermediate landing at Iceland. They
were in communication with Archangel and
Murmansk. Radio traffic: exceptionally lively
and urgent traffic on the line between Britain/
America and Archangel.
Iokanka area: destroyer "Uritski" and 4 mine-
sweepers .
Gorlo Strait/Archangel area: flotilla leader
"Baku", destroyer "J" and 2 minesweepers .
Britain: no units intercepted in the Polyarno/
Archangel area.
Bearings: Kirkenes : at 1123 on 1 August British
unit in 304°.
( e ) By G.I.S. stations : None .
B. U-boats :
III. U-boat positions and alterations of position:
(a) Positions at 0800:
Group "Trutz" :
U 347 AB 5369 )
JJ H\ AB 6444 ) ,n attack ar d th
U 425 AB 5967 ) f sweGr) 50 miies
U 668 AB 6795 ) 0l oWC°P • miles •
U 394 AB 9189 )
U 957 Sf 88 on special operation.''
In port:
U 278, 362, 365, 711, 997 Hammerfest,
U 307, 344, 354, 363, 636, 703, 739, 956, 965,
. 968, 992 Narvik,
U 312, 387, 737 Trondhoim,
U 313, 315, 716 Bergen.
-1,193-
CONFIDENTIAL
(b) U-boats homeward and. outward bound:
1730 U 995 put in to Trondheim from Narvik.
Passage via inner leads .
1015 U 307 put out from Narvik for Hammerfest.
1830 U 739 put out from Narvik - Ramsund for
Hammerfest.
1000 U 278, 362 put out eastv/ards from Hammerfest
for special operation.
1610 U 711. put out eastwards from Hammerfest for
special operation.
IV. Current U-boat operations :
(a) Convoy operations: None.
(b) Operational measures to intercept enemy
traffic :
5 boats in attack areas west of Bear Island
passage .
0237 Radio message 0114/755 received from U 394
(Borger) :
"In AB 9187 a submarine (German silhouette)
dived instead of replying to recognition
signals.1'
It was thought to be "Eickstedt", which was
lying northeast of "Borger". -Nevertheless
the possibility of enemy submarines must bo
taken Into account.
0324 Radio message 0512/754 sent:
"Possibly an enemy submarine in the operational
area. Take evasive action within the patrol
line."
1835 Radio message 0815/765 from U 394 (Borgor):
"In AB 9158 fired "Zaunkonig" torpedo at
Norwegian submarine, type "Bruno", missed.
Shortly before torpedo was fired, enemy
apparently changed to electric motors,
3 boats are following "Schaar" on operations
along the West Siberian Sea route:
1958. Radio message- 1914/767 sont:
"1. U 278 (Pranzc), U 362 (Franz): proceed
from Hammerfest to AF 88, U 711 (Lango)
will follow.
2. "Schaar", "Lango". "Franzc" and "Franz":
form group "Grcif" .
3. Information for radio intercept groups
aboard will be transmitted under name
"Kent" and are of no use to others."
-1,194-
CONFIDENTIAL
(c) Special operations by single boats;
U 9.57 (Schaar) on reconnaissance in Kara Sea.
U 711 (Lange) approaching with radio intercept
group. "Kentmann" .
Sighting reports from Russian signal stations
were passed on to "Schaar"" and "Lange" .
"Schaar" may by now have passed Cape Jelaniya.
As we have received, no report from him, we
presume that the entrance to Kara Sea is free
of ice at this point.
(d) Miscellaneous :
1030 Teleprinter message Most Secret. 3941 A Ops. 1
sent to U-boat base Hammerfest;
"1. U 711 (Lange) r put /out in accordance with
Operational Order No. 16. Report time of
sailing.
2. U 739 (Mangold) will put out on the after-
noon of 2 August for Hammerfest, carrying
5 T5 torpedoes f ov "Wedemeyer" . Both
boats will put out as soon as equipped."
Sailing
order
for
U
344
(Pic
itsch
) , see
Appendix
I.
Operatio
nal order
for U
307
(Herrle) ,
see
Appendix II.
V. Reports of successes: None.
C . Surface forces:
Nothing to report.
D. Plans :
2030 Teleprinter message Most Secret 00222 A Ops.
received from' Naval War' Staff , Second Division,
C-in-C U-boats , Ops . : . ■■
"Subject: Special operations ;by Naval Meteorological
Service, 1944 - 45.
1. 3 special operations by the Naval Meteorological
Service have been arranged for 1944 - 45.
"Woissdorn" 29 July, "Haudegen" 10 August,
"Goldschmied" 15 August, all from Germany. Time
limit for leaving North Norway 2 - 3 weeks later,
as ice situation permits. Es.cort by 1 U-boat
in each case. For operation "Haudegen"
transport of par.t of the cargo by the escorting
boat will probably be necessary.
2., 3 boats should be held in readiness for this
purpose and provided on request. Further
-1,195-
CONFIDENTIAL
arrangements with Naval -War Staff, Sixth
Division as laid down by Naval War Staff,
Second Division."
E. Surve?/- of the situation: '.
Re II (d) i •
"The transferred flying, boats are said to be of
type "Mariner" according to a radio intercept
report. The -U-boats were informed of this.
The striking radio traffic between Britain and
Archangel should be noted."
Re IV (b):
"Of the 6 boats intended for Kara Sea, four are
on their way. The other two will probably follow
in a few days."
Re D:
"In accordance with past experience, U-boats for
meteorological operations can only be detailed
when it can be seen at what time the meteorological
gear and ships will bo ready for operations."
. p.p. ' Eckermann.
5 August, 1944.
A. Enemy situation;
I. Air reconnaissance:
Flicger Fuehrer 3:
1 He 111 on meteorological reconnaissance, route
Banak - Bear Island - Banakr from 0355 to 0857,
nothing to report, almost exhaustive.
Flieger Fuehrer 4;
1 'Ju 188 on meteorological reconnaissance west
of the Faeroes from 0258 to 1014, enemy not
sighted.
Fliegcr Fuehrer 5:
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance to Jan
Maycn from 0358 to 1100. Route 70$ examinod,
Jan Mayen not examined because of heavy clouds,
enemy not sightod.
-1,196-
CONFIDENTIAL
•
II • Reports on the enemy:
(a) By U-boats s None.
( b ) By air reconnaissance ;. None .
(c) By naval forces : None.
(^) By radio intercept service:
Murmansk area: on 2 August. 2 M.T.B.s in radio
communication at 2109.
Gorlo Strait/Archangel area: flotilla leader
"Baku" v.
Be 1 us hy a/Kara Sea area: 3 minesweepers.
Britain: no units intercepted in the Polyarno/
Archangel area.
B. ' U-boats :
III. U-boat positions and alterations of position:
(a) Positions at 0800:
Group "Trutz":
in attack areas, depth
of sweep, 50 miles.
U 347 A3 5369
U 921 AB 6444
U 425 A3 5967
U 668 AB 6795
U 394 AB 9189
U 957 southeast of Up 88 on special operation.
In port:
U 365, 997 Hammerfest,
U 344, 354, 363, 636, 703, 956, 965, 968, 992,
Narvik,
U 312, 387, 737, 995 Trondheim,
U 313, 315, 716 Bergen.
(b) U-boats homeward and outward bound:
----------- - --- >■-!--- n m w * i !■■■-.
2130 U 307, 739 put in to Hammerfest from Narvik.
1300 U 344 put out from Narvik for AB 9189.
U 278, 362, 711 proceeding on special operation
from Hammerfest to AF 88.
2000 U 425 returning to Hammerfest from AB 5967.
New position for U 668 AB 5967, for U 394 AB
6795.
IV. Current U-boat operations :
( a ) Convoy operations : None .
(b) Operational measures to intercept enemy
traffic : L
5 boats in formation southwest of Bear
Island passage.
-1,197-
CONFIDENTIAL
(°) Special operations by single boats:
U 957 (Schaar) on reconnaissance in Kara Sea.
Radio intercept reports on traffic in the
region of Pechora Sea were passed on to "Kent"
and group "Greif".
V. Reports of successes; None.
C . Surface forces;
Nothing to report .
D» Survey of the situation:
No comments .
p.p. Eckermann.
4 August, 1944.
A. Enemy situation:
I« Air reconnaissance;
' Flieger Fuehrer 3:
1 He 111 on meteorological reconnaissance, route
Banak - Bear Island - Banak, from 0358 to 0755,
nothing to report. Not exhaustive owing to
weather and measurements, enemy not sighted.
Flieger Fuehrer 4:
No operations .
Flicgcr Fuehror 5:
1 Ju 03 on meteorological reconnaissance to Jan
- Mayen from 0340 to 1040. Route 75$ examined,
Jan Mayen area not examined because of low- lying
fog, enemy not sighted.
II. Reports on the enemy:
(a) By U-boats : None.
(b) By air reconnaissance: None.
(c) By naval forces: None.
(d) By radio intercept service:
i
Cape Greben: 2 freighters.
Cape Stolbovoi: minesweepers, 1 freighter.
Murmansk area: 1 minesweeper, 1 ice-breaker.
During the night of 3/4 August, 2 probable
M.T.B.s.
-1,198-
CONFIDENTIAL
Gorlo Strait/Archangel area: flotilla leader
'"Baku" and destroyer -".Uri.t.s-kiff .
Britain: no units intercepted in the Polyarno/
Archangel area .
(e) ByG.I.S. stations: None.
B* U-boats :
III. U-boat positions and alterations of position:
(a) Positions at 0800:
Group "Trutz" :
U 347 AB 5369' J
U 921 AB 6444 )
U 668 AB 5967 ) ^n a"ttack areas, depth of sweep
U 394 AB 6795 ) 50 miles •
U 344 AB 9189 )
U 957 southeast of 5tF' 88 on special operation.
In port :
U 307, 365, 739, 997 Hammerfest.
U 354, 363, 636, 703, 956, 965, 968, 992, Narvik,
U 312, 387, 737, 995 Trondhelm, "
U 313, 315, 716 Bergen.
(b) U-boats homeward and outward bound:
1520 U 363 put out from Narvik, at 2130 put in to
Harstad.
1415 U 307 put out from Hammerfest via AB 3120 on
special operation.
U 424 proceeding from A3 5967 to Hammerfest.
U 278, 362, 711. proceeding ^.eastwards on
special operation.
Iv". Current U-boat operations:
(a) Convoy operations; "None'.
(b) Operational measures to intercept enemy traffic:
5 boats in formation southwest of Bear Island
passage .
(°) Special operations by single boats:
U 957 (Schaar) on reconnaissance in Kara Sea.
The sighting reports from Russian signal
stations in the region of Pechora Sea were
passed on to "Schaar'' .
2129 Raqio message 2046/715 sent:
" "Kerrle" i3 proceeding at 12 knots from
Hammerfest to AB 3120 and will operate along
-1,199-
CONFIDENTIAL
the west coast of Spitsbergen."
"Herrle" is executing special operation
"Schneehuhn" .
Most Secret 4003 A Ops. 1 sent;
"Transfer order for-U 363-(Ne-es);
1. Put out from Narvik at 1500 on 4 August.
2. Proceed with pilot via Tjeldsund to
Harstad.
3. Base v/ave "MC11, 479 kc/s , to be used also
in Harstad, .
4. Boat is expected by Naval Harbor Master,
Karstad at 2100 on 4 August.
5. 6 hours' readiness."
"Lange" and "Franz" met on their way to Kara
Sea in order to transfer a printed document.
V . Reports of successes : None .
C • Surface forces;
Nothing to report-.
D» Survey of the situation;
No comments.
p,p. Eckermann.
5 August, 1944.
A. Enemy situation;
I. Air reconnaissance:
Flieger Fuehrer 3;
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance, route
Banak - Boar Island - Banak from 0400 to 0802,
nothing to report, not exhaustive, cnomy not
sighted.
Fliogcr Fuehrer 4;
1 Ju 188 on meteorological reconnaissance v/est of
the Faeroes from 0237 to 0957. Islands covered
by mist, enemy not sightod.
-1,200-
CONFIDENTIAL
Flieger Fuehrer 5 : . j
1 Ju 88 on meteorological- reconnaissance to Jan
Mayen from 0348 to 1012. Route 50% examined, Jan
Mayen area not examined because of cloud covering,
enemy not sighted.
H« Reports on 'the enemy;
(a) By U-boats; None.
(b) By air reconnaissance; None.
(c) By naval forces; None.
(d) By radio intercept service;
18th Group; lively flying activity (28 aircraft).
Sighting reports from Russian signal stations:
Cape "Groben: 1 minesweeper.
Krestovaya Bay: 2 minesweepers and 1 freighter.
Murmansk area: 2 minesweepers.
Iokanka area: flotilla leader "Baku", destroyer
"Uritski" and 1 minesweeper.
Gorlo Strait/Archangel area: 1 minesweeper.
Be lushy a/Kara Sea area: 1 minesweeper.
Britain: no units Intercepted in the Polyarno/
Archangel area.
Bearings from Svanvik: British unit in 253° at
1300 on 4 August.
Russian radio traffic: increased transmissions
from Be lushy a to Archangel.
(e) By G.I.S. stations: None.
B. U-boats:
III. U-boat positions and alterations of poaitioiu-
(a) Positions at 0800:
Group "Trutzi?:
U 347 A3 5369 )
U 921 AB 6444 ) In attack areas, depth
U 668 AB 5967 ) of sweep 50 miles.
U 344 AB 9189 )
U 957 southeast of &F 88 on special operation.
In port :
U 997 Hammcrfest,
U 363 Harstad,
U 354, 636, 703, .956, 965, 968, 992 Narvik,
U 312, 387, 737, 995 Trohdheim,
U 313, 315, 716 Bergen.
-1,201-
CONFIDENTIAL
(b) U-boats homeward and outward bound:
0117 U 394 left AB 6795,- at 1630 put1 in to
Hammerfest .
1130- U 363 put out from Harstad for AB 9189.
0300 U 365, 739 put out from Hammerfest to AF 88.
U 425 proceeding from AB 5967 to Hammerfest.
U 278, 362,.. 711 proceeding to AF 88.
U 307 proceeding from Hammerfest to AB 3120.
IV. Current U-boat operations:
(a) Convoy operations: None.
(b) Operational measures to intercept enemy
traffic:
4 boats in formation southwest of Bear
Island passage.
0200 Radio message 0117/718 received from U 394
(Borger) :
"Am calling at Hammerfest to" put ashore
serious case of appendicitis. Shall be at
"SR 1" at 1130 on 5 August. Putting out
again immediately."
0417 Radio message 0515/719 sent:
"1. U 363 (Nees)s' put out from Harstad for
attack area AB 9189, depth of sweep 50
' miles, to 'join group "Trutz".
2.- "Borger": return to Hammerfest.
3. "Pictsch" 13 occupying AB 5967."
2316 Radio message 224/758 sent:
Group "Trutz":
"At 0800 on 6 August the following boats arc
to proceed: "de Buhr" to Andf jord - Narvik,
orner" to Hammerfest, " Sic fete dt" to AB
5369, "Pictsch" to 6444, "Noes" to 5967.
Proceed submerged."
2231 Radio message 2207/737 sent:
" "Wedemcyer" and "Mangold": join group
"Greif"."
Group "Greif" will now be complete and
consists of 6 boats.
(c ) Special operations by single boats:
U 307 (Hcrrle) on special operation
"Schncchuhn" .
-1,202-
CONFIDENTIAL
U 957 (Schaar) on reconnaissarxce of Kara Sea.
(d) Miscellaneous :
2230 Teleprinter message Most Secret 4016 A Ops.
sent to U-boat base Hammerfest:
"On the morning of 6 August, "Borger" will put
out for AB 6795, "Lehmann" for AB 9189, depth
of sweep 50 miles, economical speed. In the
attack area, they will surface only for
charging'* If enemy defenses make it necessary,
take evasive action up to 150 miles, course
067°. u
V. Reports of- .successes-: None.
C . Surface forces;
Nothing to report.-
D. Survey of the situation;
Re IV (d):
"No short signal has yet been received from "Schaar"
on the situation in Kara Sea. As he was ordered
to remain unobserved, if possible, until the first
encounter with the enemy, we do not expect a
report from him -until ho- has been on reconnaissance
for several days."
p.p. Eckermann.
6 August, 1944.
A. Enemy situation:
I* Air reconnaissance:
Fliegcr Fuehrer 5:
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance, route
Banak - Bear Island - Banak from 0352 to 0704,
nothing to report, not exhaustive, enemy not
sighted.
Flioger Fuehrer 4:
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance west of
the Faeroes from 0330 to 1136. At 0615 in
Thorshcvn harbor, 1 merchant ship of 10,000 G.R.T
at anchor. Details not observed.
-1,203-
CONFIDENT IAL
Flicker Fuehrer 5;
1 He 111 on meteorological reconnaissance to Jan
Mayen from 0354 to 1053. Route 30$, Jan Mayen
area 20$ examined, enemy not sighted.
II. Reports- on the enemy:
(a) By U-boats : None.
(b) By air reconnaissance; None.
( c ) By naval forces : None .
(d) 3y radio intercept service;
Murmansk area: 1 ice-breaker.
Gorlo Strait/Archangel area: flotilla leader
"Baku" and destroyer "Uritski".
Britain: no units intercepted in the Polyarno/
Archangel area.
Bearings from Svanvik: British unit in 258°
at 0834 on 5 August.
(e) By G.I.S. stations: No no.
B. U-boats :
III. U-boat positions and alterations of position:
-(a> -Po-sitlons at 0800;
Group "Trutz" :
in attack areas, depth
of sweep 50 miles. •
U 347 AB 5369
U 921 AB 6444
U 668 AB 5967
U 344 AB 6795
U 363 A3 9189
U 957 southeast of &F 88 on special operation.
In port:
U 394, 997 Hammerfest,
U 354, 636, 703, 956, 965, 9.68, 992 Narvik,
U 312, 387, 737, 995 Trondhoim,
U 313, 315, 716 Bergen.
(b) U-boats homeward and outward bound:
0840 U 425 put in to Hammerfost from AB 5967.
1100 U 394 put out from Hammerfest to AB 6795.
1100 U 997 put out from Hammerfest to AB 9189.
0800 U 921 on return passage from AB 6444 to
Hammerfest .
0800 U 347 on return pass ago from AB 5369 to
Andf jord - Narvik.
U 307 proceeding from Hammorfost to AB 3120.
U 278, 362, 365, 739 proceeding from
Hammerfost to AF 88.
U 711 proceeding from Hammerfest to AS 20.
-1,204-
CONFIDENTIAL
IV. Current U-boat operations:
(a) Convoy operations: None.
(b) Operational measures to intercept enemy
traffic:
5 boats in formation southwest of Bear Island
passage, 6 boats approaching Kara Sea,
(c) Special operations by single boats:
U 957 (Schaar) on reconnaissance in Kara Sea.
Radio intercept reports on traffic in Pechora
Sea wore passed on to ''Kent'1' and group "Greif".
U 307 (Hcrrle) on special operation
"Schneehuhn" .
!:
V. Reports of successes: None.
C . Surface forces : None .
D. Survey of the situation:
No comments .
p.p. Eckcrmann.
7 August, 1944.
A. Enemy situation:
I. Air reconnaissance:
Fliegor Fuehrer 5:
1 He 111 on meteorological reconnaissance, route
Banak - Bear Island - Banak from 0125 to 1446,
nothing to report, not exhaustive.
Flioger Fuehrer 4:
1 Ju 188 on meteorological reconnaissance in the
sea area west of the Faeroes from 0257 to 1015.
Faeroes not examined because of mist, enemy not
sighted.
Flioger Fuehrer 5:
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance to Jan
Mayon from 0349 to 1039. Route and Jan Maycn area
20% examined, enemy not sighted.
II • Reports on the enemy:
(a) By U-boats :
Report on destroyer formation off Barcntsbcrg
-1,205-
CONFIDENTIAL
from.U 307 (Herrlo)"* sgo under IV (c).
(b) By air reconnaissance; None.
( c ) By naval forces ; None .
(d) By radio intercept' service; "
Iokanka area: 1 minesweeper.
Gorlo Strait/Archangel area: flotilla leader
' ' Baku" a nd . 4 mi ne sweepers *
Be 1 us hy a/Kara Sea area: destroyer "Uritski"
and 1 minesweeper.
Britain:' no units intercepted in the Polyarno/
archangel area.
(c) By G.I.=S, stations: None.
B. , U-boats :
III. U-boat positions and alterations of position:
(a) Positions at 0800:
111 r i ■ - i ■
Group "Trutz":
U 668 AB 5369)
U 344 A3 6444) in attack areas, depth of
U 363 A3 5967) sweep 50 miles.
U 997 A3 6795)
U 957 southeast of &F 88 on special operation.
U 307 HG 7590 on special operation.
In port : ,
— urn* .ia.». »i ■
U 425 Hammerfest,
U 354, 636, 703, 956, 965, 968., 992 Narvik,
U 312, 387, 737, ' 99-5' Trbndheim,
U 313, 315, 716 Bergen.
(b) U-boats homeward and outward bound:
1230 U 921 put in to Hammerfest from AB 6444. •
1100 U 425 put out from Hammerfest for Narvik.
U 347 on return passage from AB 5369 to
Andf jord - Narvik.
U '278, 362, 365, 739 proceeding from
Hammerfest to flF 88.
U 394 proceeding from Hammerfest to AB 6795.
U 711 proceeding from Hammerfest to AS 20.
1515 U 394 proceeding to AB 5967, U 363 proceeding
to AB 6795.
•
IV. Current U-boat operations:
(a) Convoy operations: None.
-1,206-
CONFIDENTIAL
(b) Operational measures to intercept enemy traffic:
4 boats in formation southwest of Bear Island
passage . _
1515 Radio massage 1426/767 sent:
"1. "Borger" and "Lehmann" : join group "Trutz" .
2,. The following boats will occupy attack
areas, depth- of sweep 50 miles: "Borger"
AB 5967, "Nees" A3 6795, '^Lehmann" AB 9189."
(c ) Special operations by single boats:
U 957 (Schaar) on reconnaissance in Kara Sea.
Radio intercept reports on traffic in Pechora
Sea were passe i to "Kent" and group "Greif " .
U 307 (Herrle) on operation "Schneehuhn" .
2112 Radio message 2051/770 received from U 307
(Herrle ) :
"Destroyer formation off Barentsberg."
Naval Chief Command, Norway, Luftflotte 5 and
1st Battle Group were informed by teleprinter.
It was presumed that this was a supply formation
for Barontsberg.
2348 Radio message 2559/775 sent:
''Herrle" from Captain U-boats:
"You are free to attack, provided special
operation is not endangered."
V. Reports of successes: None.
C . Surface forces :
Nothing to report.
D. Plans:
1652 Teleprinter message Most Secret 10010 A 1 received
from Naval Chief Command, Norway:
"1. Meteorological' survey ship "Kehdingen", with
Operational Order "Edelweiss" for Captain
U-boats, Norway on board, is putting out from
Kristiansand (South) on 7 August.
2. Meteorological survey ship "Busch" ("Haudegcn")
is putting out from Kristiansand _. (South)
provisionally on 8 August. Operational Order
for Captain U-boats sent by courier on 4 August.
-1,207-
CONFIDENTIAL
•
3. Meteorological • survey 3hip "Exerstoinc"
( "Golds chmied" ). will arrive at Kristiancand
(South) provisionally on 17 August."
E • Survey of tho situation :
Re IV (c) :
An operation by boats of .group "Trutz" on the
reported destroyer -formation has slight prospect
of success in view of the long distance they
would have to cover. The appearance of U-boats
off Ice Fjord would also be certain to disturb
. . operation "Sehneehuhn" perhaps' even endanger it.
It is therefore left to "Herrle",'s judgment
whether to carry out- an" attack:. Unfortunately
this boat is not equipped with T 5 torpedoes
owing to deployment -in- fjords arid shallow water.
p.p. Eckermann.
8 AURU3t, 1944,
A. Enemy- situation:
I. Air reconnaissance:
Flicgor Fuehrer 5:
.1 He 111 on meteorological reconnaissance, route
Bariak - Bear Island - Banak from 0400 to 0828,
not exhaustive, nothing to report.
Flicgor Fuehrer 4:
1 Ju 188 on meteorological reconnaissance west of
the Faeroes from 0351 to 1213, enemy not sighted.
Flicker Fuehrer 5;
*
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance to Jan
Mayen from 0345 to 1010. Route 30^ examined,
Jan Mayen area not examined because of 10/10 cloud,
enemy not sighted.
II. Reports on the enemy:
fa) By U-boats: None.
(b) By air reconnaissance :■ None .
(c) By naval forces: None.
-1,208-
- Z.
(d) 5y rail; mterc:;: z::vi:e:
Murmansk area: flot leader "Baku".
Iokanl: e : iestroyer "B".
Gorlc Strait/Archangel area: 2 mine sweep e:
Belushya/Kara Sec areas 1 minesweeper*
Britain: no unios intercepted in the Polyarno/
Archangel area.
(e) By 2- . Z .3 . statici'.s : 5.
B. U-boats ;
III. U-bc :ositions and alterations of position:
(a) Positions at :z:i;
Group "Trutz":
in attack areas, depth of
:eo 50 miles .
U 668 AB 5369
U 344 A5 6444
U 394 A3 5967
U 363 .-.Z 6795
U 997 A3 9189
Group "C-reif":
U 278 IF 88
:2 K? 38
U 507 AG 75/78 on special or rion.
U 957 : of A" 33 pecial operatic
In pert :
■ ■ «■ ■
U 921 Test
U 354, 636, 703/906, 965, 968, 992 Narvik,
U 312, 5S7, 737, 995 Trondheim,
0 313, 315, 716 Berge. .
(b) Y-boatr horr.ev.'ar:!. ana :v.t -:. ra bound:
1400 U 921 put out from Hammerfest for Narvik.
1900 U 425 put in to Narvik from Hammerfest.
U 347 on return passage from AB 5369 to
Andf jord - Narvik.
U 363, 739 proceedi:--: from HamaBrfest to Z-.7 38
U 711 proceeding from Hammerfest to AS 20.
IV. Current U-boat cp-era~ 5 :
(a) Cc:.v :;.-•. :.':. :.'.£ : '.'one.
(b) -" : - : " - ----- .ires zz i::tv:--:-:--:T :r.---.\" z.:.Z?ic:
5 be z ion southwest of Bear Island
e. 2 boats -ing position in aF 86.
-1,209-
CONFIDENTIAL
2225 Radio message 2144/791 sent:
Groups "Trutz" and ,f.Greifn from Captain
U-boats :
"As radio communications between Command and
the boats operating in the east are frequently
interrupted, the nearer boats, especially
noup "Trutz", must act as radio links. All
boats, therefore, while surfaced, should
keep watch on wave "Ulli 5" from the sixth
to the tenth minute of each hour. Special
short signals for easterly boats, consist
only of 5 letters without any preamble.
Repeat on most suitable wave."
This would make it more likely that the
special short signals would reach group
"Greif " . At the same time ineffective radio
transmissions by the boats< in the east and
hence the danger of the enemy obtaining a fix
on them would be reduced to a minimum. Radio
intercept reports on the traffic in Pechora
Sea and the approaches to Kara -Sea v/ere
passed on to group' "Greif" .
(c ) Special operations by single boats:
U 957 (Schaar) on reconnaissance in Kara Sea.
U 307 (Hcrrle) on operation "Schneehuhn" .
V. Reports of successes: Nona.
VI. U-boat reports :
Short report from U 594 (Borger), second
operation, see Appendix IJI/1.
C. Surface forces: Nothing to report.
D. Survey of the . situation:
■ ■ ■ ■■»wL» ^ ■ ■■■,«, ■ ilia, ■■hi ■ ■ ^.^.^ihi*i*i ...
No comments .
.- ..
p.p. Eckermann
9 August j ,1944
A. Enemy situation:
I. Air reconnaissance:
Flieger Fuehrer 5 :
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance , route
-1,210-
CONFIDENTIAL
Banak - Bear Island - Banak from 0410 to 0815,
nothing to report. • On the outward flight,
including Bear Island, exhaustive examination.
Flieger Fuehrer 4:
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance west of
the Faeroes from 0359 to 1217. At 0630 Thorshavn
harbor was examined through gaps in the clouds: 1
merchant ship of 5,000 G.R.T. at anchor, otherwise
enemy not sighted.
Flieger Fuehrer 5:
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance to Jan
Mayen from 0352 to 1036. Route 50$ examined, Jan
May en area not examined because of low- lying 10/10
cloud, enemy not sighted.
II. Reports on the enemy:
(a) By U-boats : None.
(b) By air reconnaissance: None.
(c) By naval forces : None.
(d) By radio intercopt service:
Gorlo Strait/Archangel areas flotilla leader
"Baku", destroyer "3" and 3 minesweepers.,
Britain: no units intercepted in the Polyarno/
Archangel area.
Bearings: at 1755 on 8 August Svanvik obtained
a bearing of 252° on a British unit.
(e) By G.I. 3. stations: None.
B. U-boats :
III* U-boat positions and alterations of position:
(a) Positions at 0800:
Group "Trutz" :
in attack areas, depth
of sweep 50 miles .
U 668 A3 5369
U 344 AB 6444
U 394 AB 5967
U 363 AB 6795
U 997 AB 9189
Group "Greif":
U 278 AF 88
U 362 AF 88
U 365 &P 88
U 739 aF 88
U 307 aG 75 on special operation.
U 957 southeast of AF 88 on special operation.
-1,211-
CONFIDENTIAL
i port;
U , 425, 636, 703, 956, 965, 968, 992
Narvik,
U 312, 387, 737, 995 Trondheira,
U 313, 315, 716 Bergen.
(b) U-boats homeward and outward bound:
2100 U 921 put in to Narvik from Hammerfest. .
U 347 on return passage -from A3 5369 to
Andf jord - Narvik.
U 711 proceeding from Hammerfest to AS 20.
1438 Group C-reif" proceeding to new attack areas:
U 270 to AT 85, U 362 to AT 82, U 365 to AT
64, U 739 to AT .67.
IV, Current U-boat operations:
(a) Convoy operations: None.
(b) Operational measures to intercept enemy
traffic:
5 boats in formation southwest of Bear Island
passage. 4 boats in Kara Sea.
Radio intercept service reported a minesweeper
at Cape Jelaniya, the area where the boats
are at present. ,
0057 Radio message. 0019/796 sent:
"Group "Greif" from Captain U-boats.
Patrol vessels are not, for the moment, to be
regarded as worthwhile targets. • If necessary,
withdraw to remain unobserved."
As the boats -were to remain unobserved and to
refrain from reporting for as long as possible,
only details on' ice and traffic conditions in
Pechora Sea had so far been received from the
radio intercept service. It was therefore
not intended to let the boats operate in a
close formation, but rather independently in
wide attack areas.
1438 . Radio message 1405/705 sent
"Group "Greif" from Captain U-boats :
Try to reach the following- areas for
reconnaissance and attacks on worthwhile
targets: "Franze" AT 85, "Franz" AT 82,
"Wedemeyer" AT 64, "Mangold" AT 67."
•.I
Radio intercept reports on traffic in Pechora
Sea end the approaches' to Tiara Sea were passed
on to group "Greif" .
-1,212-
iri:~i.
v.
c.
E.
2145
(°) Sr-er: 1 cr-:-r::i::-.. ';-.' - - . • 1 : ::;:::
957 (Schaar) on reconnais e ale
3 Siberian £ ate to the east.
307 pie) on : ration "Schneehuhn" .
No further reports on destroyer formation
sighted on 7 2 ust.
Re .ceesses; .one.
Nothing to rt
Plans :
On the subject :: the e tion of minelaying
zper- t _ ins , Most Secret S.O.s )nly B .rial \. 11
A Gps. :: "."aval Wai
C-in-C U-boats Czs, Lef C ad, Norws
ition; Staff and for infer V.'ar
Staff, First - .:
:sfer tar Staff, S:cond Dj _on,
C-in-C U-boats Dps, 3.s only 331 of
- July.
The exec n of minelc rations in Barents
Sea _:'- ace with Iroup North/Fleet Most
Secret 202/44 £. .3 only is planned follows:
1. Operation ": ' (I or I A) by U 956 (Mohs).
.
.
.
'Lachs11 (II or II A] 0 368 ("Westphalen) .
■ (III or V) by U 636 (Schendcl).
"II or A VI) by U 992 (Falke).
:reile" (VIII or A III) by U 91 1 "Jnverzagt).
fDc: ' (IX or A VII) _en) .
12 rUC mines for The second
operation in case is to be i
alter ve for the first. Old minefields
me / n i , Norway S • 0 . z
only 1093 of 29 July hav : rd.
Minelaying orders for C *r No. 16
11 follow to ~le aboye aidr_ ."
Cr :::-.r.iz : 1 1 - P -1:
Tclev - Secret 05173 received
from Naval Chief Comm: , Or ions Staff:
"Refer ! .n U-boats, Central Most 5 -t
01794 C of 7 August.
With efj 1000 on 10 i ist, t :ffice of
C& . - , 1 La to be cloc lown
until further notic - . Division of command: ral
- ,213-
CONFIDENTIAL
operational command of the U-boats of group
Central as before, through Naval War Staff,
Second Division; direct command of individual
operations, in place of Captain U-boats, Central,
transferred to Naval Chief Command, East,
Operations Staff, which ha3 been extended by
Operational Group A1U for this purpose. The
Operation Group is under the command of Lt . (s.g.)
Penn. Captain's Secretary Is Gunnery Lt . Utacht.
P. . Survey of the situation;
Re IV (b);
As we know from experience, any transmission by
our boats in Kara Sea would be immediately
intercepted by the Russians. The retention of
traffic in port and the increase in air and sea
patrols would drastically reduce the successes
to be expected from a surprise attack. In the
absence of information on the exact ice
conditions, enemy defenses and traffic, the
boats must be given a largo measure of freedom
in their operations.
p.p. Eckermann.
A.
I.
10 August, 1944.
Enemy
situation:
Air
reconnaissance «
Fli(
3ger Fuehrer 3:
1 He 111 on meteorological reconnaissance, route
Banak - Bear Island - Banak from 0401 to 0850,
nothing to report. Owing to measurements not
exhaustive .
Flieger Fuehrer .4:
1 Ju 187 on meteorological reconnaissance in the
sea area west of the Faeroe3 from 0325 to 1039.
In Skaalesf jord 1 merchant ship of up to 8,000
G.R.T. At Thorshavn, 1 merchant ship of up to
6,000 G.R.T. , otherwise enemy not sighted.
Fliegcr Fuehrer 5:
-
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance to Jan
Mayen from 0418 to 0588. Operation broken off
in AF 5522 because of radio interference . Route
10% examined, enemy not' sighted.
-1,214-
CONFIDENTIAL
II. Reports on the enemy:
(a) By U-boats : None.
(b) By air r e c onna i s s anc e : None.
(c) By naval forces : None.
(d) By radio intercept service:
18th Group: lively flying activity without
recognizable point of concentration. (26 air-
craft) .
Murmansk area: submarine nL 20".
Iokanka area: 1 minesweeper. '
Gorlo Strait/Archangel area: flotilla leader
"Baku", destroyers "E" , "J", 1 minelayer and
2 minesweepers.
Belushya/Kara Sea area: 2 minesweepers.
Britain: no units intercepted in the Polyarno/
Archangel area.
(e) By G.I.S. stations: None.
B. U-boats:
III. U-boat positions and alterations of position:
(a) Positions at 0800:
..Gr.aun. ilTrutz" : -
U 668 AB 5369 )
U 344 AB-6444 4"-- •-■'■ .,
U 394 AB 5967 ) in attack areas, depth
U 363 ~3 6795 ) of sweGP 50 miles >
U 997 AB 9189 )
Group "Greif":
U 278 )
U 362 )
U 365 ) Kara Sca-
U 739 )
U 711 AS 20
U 307 AG 75 on special operation.
U 957 southeast of A? 88 on special operation.
In port:
■
U 354, 425, 636, 703, 921, 956, 965, 968, 992
Narvik,
U 312, 387, 737, 995 Trondhcim,
U 313, 315, 716 Bergen.
(b) U-boats homeward and outward bound:
U 347 on return passage from AB 5369 to
Andf iord - Narvik. „
Group "Groif11: U 278 proceeding from a? 88 to
AT 85, U 362 from &P 88 to AT 82, U 365 from
Xp 88 to AT 64, U 739 from A? 88 to AT 67.
-1,215-
CONFIDENTIAL
IV. Current U-boat operations:
(a) Convoy operations: None.
(b) Operational measures to Intercept enemy
traffic:
5 boats in formation southwest of Bear
Island passage. 5 boats in Kara Sea.
Radio intercept reports on traffic^ in Pechora
Sea and the approaches to Kara Sea were
passed on to group "G-reif '' .
(c ) Special operations by single boats:
U 957 (Schaar) on .reconnaissance in Kara
Sea..
U 307 (Kerrle) on operation "Schneehuhn" .
V . Reports of successes : None .
C. Surface forces:
Nothing to report.
D* Survey of the situation:
No comments.
p.p. Eckermann*
11 August, 1944.
A. Enemy situation:
I. ' Air reconnaissance :
Flieger Fuehrer 5:
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance, route
Banak - Bear Island - Banc.:: from 0355 to 0745,
nothing to report. Not exhaustive because of
weather.
Flicker Fuehrer 4:
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance west
of the Faeroes from 0355 to 1132. North
Faeroes not examined. At 0950 in AE 9573 2
Swedish ships, names not made out, cour.
east, speed 10 knots.
Flioger Fuehrer 5:
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance to Jan
-1,216-
CONFIDENTIAL
Mayen from 0414 to 1040. Route 80$ examined, Jan
Mayen area not examined because of 10/lQ cloud
cover, enemy' not sighted.
II. Reports on the enemyr"
• - (a) -By- U-boats ; None.
(b) By air reconnaissance: None.
( c ) By naval forces : None .
(d) By radio intercept service;
At 0050 on 11 August a radio message of first
-priority from Dikson via Archangel to all
naval forces .
Submarines "S 16" and "S 19" received several
radio messages from Archangel and Belushya,
partly in conjunction with flotilla leader
"Baku".
Iokanka area? 1 minesweeper.
Gorlo Strait/Archangel area: flotilla leader
"Baku", destroyers "Gremyashchi" , "J", and 1
minesweeper*
Belushya/Kara Sea area: 1 minelayer and 2
minesweepers .
Britain: no units intercepted in the Polyamo/
Archangel area.
Bearings from Svanvik: British unit between
2019 on 10 August and, 0028 on 11 August in 254°.
Russian radio traffic: a few radio transmissions
of very high and first priority from Dikson to
Belushya.
(e) By G.I. S. stations : None .
B. U-boats :
III. U-boat positions and alterations of "position:
(a) Positions at 0800:'
Group "Trutz":
U 668 AB 5369
U 344 AB 6444
U 394 AB 5967
U 363 AB 6795
U 997 AB 9189
Group "Greif " :
in attack areas, depth
of sweep 50 miles .
U 278 )
U 362 )
U 365 ) on passage to Kara Sea.
U 739 )
U 711 AS 20
U 307 &G 75 on special operation.
U 957 southeast of AF 88 on special operation.
-1,217-
CONFIDENTIAL
In port ;
U 554, 425, 636, 703, 921, 956, 965, 968,
992 Narvik,
312, 387, 737, 995 Trondhalm,
U 313, 315 i 716 Bergen.
(b) U-boats homeward and outward bound;
U 347 on return passage from AB 5369 to
Andfiord - Narvik. „
roup "Greif" : U 278 proceeding from AP 88
to AT 85, U 362 from AP 88 to AT 82,
U 365 from &P 88 to AT 64, U. 739 from
AP 88 to AT 67.
IV. Current U-boat operations :
(a) Convoy operations : None,
(b) Operational measures to .intercept enemy
traffic :
5 boats in formation southwest of Bear
Island passage. 5 boats in attack areas in
Kara Sea.
Reports from radio intercept service on
traffic in Pechora Sea and .the approaches to
Kara Sea were transmitted to group "Greif".
(c ) Special operations by single boats;
U 307 (Herrle) on operation "Schneehuhn" .
U 957 (Schaar) on reconnaissance of the West
Siberian Sea route.
V. Reports of successes ; None.
C . Surface forces ;
Nothing to report .
D. Survey of the situation;
Re II (d) ;
"The urgent traffic from Dikson might mean that
one of the U-boats of group "Greif "has been
observed by the enemy in the Kara Sea area. As
the boats have so far sent no radio messages,
it could :nly have been sighted. However, in
such a case we would expuct a report from the
boat concerned."
p.p. Ec ke rmann •
-1,218-
^IDENTIAI
12 August, 1944,
A. Enemy situation:
I. Air reconnc: s z ~ nee:
Flieger Fuehrer 5:
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance, route
Banak - Bear Island - Banak from 0503 to 0905,
nothing to report, exhaustive on both outward and
return flights. Bear Island examined.
Flieger Fuehrer 4:
I Ju 83 on meteorological reconnaissance west of
the Faeroes from 0400 to 1050.. With 50 km.
visibility the fjords were examined while flying
past, not occupied.
?liec;er Fuehrer 5;
i i - ill---- - r
1 Ju 33 on meteorological reconnaissance to Jan
Mayen from 0427 to 1131. Route 70$ examined, Jan
yen area not examined because of ground fog,
enemy not sighted.
II. Reports on the enemy:
( a ) 3y U-boats : None .
(b) By air reconnaissance: None.
i, (c) By naval forces: None.
(d) By radio intercept service:
Iokanka area: 3 minesweepers.
Gorlo Strait/Archangel area: flotilla leader
"Baku", destroyers "Gremyashchi" , ,rUn , !,J", 4
minesweepers and 2 minelayers.
. Be lushy a/Kara Sea area: 3 minesweepers.
( e ) By C-.I.S. stations : None .
B. U-boats :
III. U-boat positions and alterations of position:
(a) Positions at 0800:
C-rouo "Trutz" :
U 668 AB 5369
U 344 AB 6444
U 394 AB 5967
U 363 AB 6795
U 997 A3 9189
in attack areas, depth
of sv/eep 50 miles .
-1,219-
CONFIDENTIAL
Group "Greif;t :
U 278 AT 85
U 362 AT 82
U 365 AT 64
T! 739 AT 67
U 711 AS -20
in attack areas.
307 AG 75 on special operation.
U 957 southeast of AF 88 on special operation.
In ports
U 354, 425, 636, 703, 921, 956, 965, 968,
992 Narvik, .
U 312, 387,-757, 995- Trondheim,
U 313, 315, 716 Bergen.
(b) U-boats homeward and outward '"bound;
2300 U 668 proceeding to AB'll.
1600 U 344 proceeding to new attack area AB 5495.
IV. Current U-boat operations:
■ ■ ■ i ■ i ■ ■ ■ ■ . . ■ i ■ ■ I, ...
(a) Convoy operations: None.
.(b) Operational. measure s to intercept enemy
traffic:
■■■!■■ • ■■' ■
5 boats in formation southwest of Bear Island
passage. 5 boats in attack areas in Kara Sea.
1129 Radio message 1046/761 sent:
"3 .r" , "Lange" from Captain U-boats .
"Attempt meeting in AS 2125, or on
corresponding longitude in case of ice
hindrance, at 0700 or 1900 on one of the
next few days. Arrange 'for further meetings
there.11
These -meetings were for the purpose of
exchanging experiences and reports of the
radio intercept service.
1159 Radio message 1051/762 sent:
"1. Eickstcdt" : proceed to AB 11 to report
ice limit to the south a3 far as 74° N
by short signals, giving the last three
square numbers on frequency "Anton I"
or "Anton II" . Report approximately
every 50 mile . Then return to former
attack arc .
^ •
"Piotsch": occupy new attack area AB 5495,
depth of sweep 50 miles .
-1,220-
CONFIDENTIAL
1553
2323
1200
V.
C.
D.
0950
3. Beth boats should report position on
departure on frequency "Ulli". Increased
speed."
Naval Chief Command's request for ice
reconnaissance for operation "Edelweiss" was
to be met in this way. Reconnaissance by the
German Air Force was still doubtful on account
of the fuel situation.
Short signal 1529/768 received from U 344
(Pietsch) :
"My position is AB 5658 - 1600."
Short signal 23I0/77S received from U 668
(Eickstedt) :
"AB 5397. "
Thus both boats had reported their positions
and times of departure ,
Radio intercept reports on traffic in Pechora
Sea and the approaches to Kara Sea were passed
on to group "Greif " .
(c ) Special operations by single boats:
U 307 (Herrle) on operation "Schneehuhn" .
U 957 (Schaar) on reconnaissance of the West
Siberian Sea route.
(d) Miscellaneous :
Teleprinter message Most Secret 4080 A Ops. 1
sent to Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C
U-boats , Ops . :
"U 347 (de Buhr) is missing. Boat put out from
Narvik on 3 July, 1700. Joined patrol line,
group "Trutz" . Did not report during the whole
operation. Last seen in AB 7865 by U 921
(Werner) on 10 July. No further information.
Surprise submarine or aircraft attack presumed.
The boat did not report after the order to put
in tc Andf jord on 5 August and has so far not
complied with" it. There had been no earlier
order to report. Also failed to respond to
renewed request on 9 August."
Reports of successes: None .
Surface forces : Nothing to report.
Plans :
Teleprinter message Most Secret 4078 A Ops. sent to
Naval Chief Command, Norway Operations Staff:
"Ice reconnaissance by U-boat arranged for
"Edelweiss". Request details of desired area
immediately."
-1,221-
CONFIDENTIAL
1 » -i - - - - r
Naval Chief Command confirmed by telephone their
agreement to reconnaissance by ''Eickstedt" .
E. Survey of the situation:
Re IV (b) :
Ith the departure of U 668, the attack area of
U 334 has been advanced westwards. This will
at the same time cover the route to Spitsbergen
more effectively. We must expect supplies for
Barentsberg after U 307 's' recent report of
destroyers off Ice Fjord."
p.p. Eckermann.
13 August, 1944
A.
I.
Enemy
situation:
>
Air r<
sconnaissance s
Flieper Fuehrer
3:
1 He 111 on meteorological reconnaissance, route
Banak - Bear Island - Naut'si from 0400 to 0850.
Because of weather not exhaustive, nothing to
report .
Flieger Fuehrer 4:
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance west of
the Faeroes from 0338 to 1240. SyderB examined,
no occupation observed.
Flieger Fuehrer 5:
1 Ju 80 on meteorological reconnaissance to Jan
Mayen from 0426 to 1107. Route 40%', Jan Mayen
area 30$ examined, enemy not sighted.
II. Reoorts on the enemy?
(a) By U-boats : None.
(b) By air reconnaissance: None.
(c) By naval forces; None.
(d) By radio intercept service:
18th Group: lively flying activity (25 air-
craft). Reconnaissance to northwost
Identified. At 1255 radio message of first
-1,222-
CONPID-. AL
B.
III.
IV.
priority fr .son via Archangel to all nc.
f orces .
.rmansk 2rca: 1 ice-breaker.
Iokanka area: 5 minesweepers. .
Gorlo Strait/Archangel aroa: flotilla leader
u3aku", destroyer "Uritski", submarine nS 19" ,
1 minesweeper and 1 motor minesweeper*
Belushya/Karra Sea area: • 1- mi r. eper and 1
minelayer .
Britain: no units intercepted in the Polyarno/
' Archangel are? .
( c ) 3y C-.I.S. stations: None .
J-boats :
U-boat "ccs -~:i oils and alterations of position:
(a) PoLit.-ons at 0800:
Group "Trutz11 :
w^ ^—— i ■■ i — ■ ^p ■■»■■■■— ^
U 544 AB 5495)
U 394 AB 5967) in attack areas, depth
U 363 AB 6795) of sweep 50 miles.
U 997 A3 9189)
Group "Grcif";
U 278 AT 85)
U 362 AT 82)
U 365 AT 64) in attack areas.
U 739 AT 67)
t? 711 AS 20)
U 307 &G 75 on special operation.
U 957 southeast of AF 88 on special operation,
U 66 A 2648 on special operation.
In port:
U 354, 425, 636, 703, 921, 956, 965, 968,
992 Narvik,
D 312, 387, 737, 995 Trondheim,
313, 315, 716 Berge .
Current U-boat operations;
(a) Convoy operations: Hone.
(b) Operational measures to intercept enemy traffic|
4 boats in formation southwest of Bear Island
passage.- 5 boats in attack areas in Kara Se .
(c) Special operations by single boats:
U 307 (Herrle) on operation- "Scftneehuhn" .
-1,223-
CONFIDENTIAL
0735 Radio me,s3agej-0618/781 received from U 307
(Herrle ) :
"Longyearby operation successful. No
Americans. Airfield unserviceable.
Norwegian anti-aircraft defense units.''
This report was passed- on to G.I.S. station
Oslo.
U 957 (Schaar) on reconnaissance of the West
Siberian Sea route.
U 668 (Eickstedt) on ice reconnaissance north
of Jan Mayen.
2216 Radio message 2205/790 sent:
"Eickstedt1' from Captain U-boats .
"Report ice limit only on return passage
after crossing 10° E to the east, or when
ordered."
By this measure it was intended to avoid
drawing the enemy's attention to the actual
area, evon if they obtained a bearing on the
ice reports, thus preventing them from carry-
ing out a reconnaissance 'to discover the
planned operation. Owing. to engine trouble
in the motcorological vessel,- operation
"Edelweiss" had in any case to be postponed
for a few days..
V. Reports of successes: None.
VI. U-b'oat reports :
Short report from U 921 (Werner) , first operation,
Short report from U 425 (Bcntzien), fourth
operation, • sec Appendix IIl/2,3.
C. Surface forces? Nothing to report.
D. Survey of the situation:
Re II (d) :
"it now appears that one of our boats in Kara
Sea has been observed. Therefore wo must
expect increased countermeasures . Probably more
flying boats ("Catalinas" , and perhaps the
newly transferred "Mariners") will be put on
patrol of the West Siberian Sea route."
p.p. Eckermann.
-1,224-
CONFIDENTLY
14 August, 1944.
A, Enemy situation;
I. Air reconnaissance:
'Flieger Fuehrer 5;
1 Ju 38 on meteorological reconnaissance, route
Banak - Bear Island - Banak from 0358 to 0746,
nothing to report. On outward flight exhaustive
examination; on return flight no examination
because of measurements above the clouds .
_ieger Fuehrer 4:
No reports .
Flieger Fuehrer 5:
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance to Jan
Mayen from 0447 to 1128. Route 70$ examined,
enemy not sighted.
II. Reports on the enemy;
( a ) By U-boats : None .
(b) 3y air reconnaissance; None,
( c ) By naval forces ; None .
(d) By radio intercept service:
18th Group: lively aircraft activity (26 air-
craft) .
At 1150 and 1943 on 13 August, radio message
of first priority from Dikson to all naval
forces in Northern Waters .
Gorlo Strait/Archangel area: flotilla leader
"Bakuir and 2 minesweepers.
Belushya/Kara Sea area: 3- minesweepers .
Britain: no units intercepted in the Polyarno/
Archangel area.
(e) By G.I. 3. stations: None.
B. U-boats :
III. .-boat posit: - ... and alterations of position:
(a) Positions at 0800:
Group "Trutz";
U 344 AB 5495 )
U 394 AB 5967 ) in attack areas, depth of
U 363 AB 6795 ) sweep 50 miles .
U 997 AB 9189 )
-1,225-
CONFIDENTIAL
Group "C-reif:
U 278 AT 85
U 362 AT 82
U 365 AT 64
U 739 AT 67
U 711 AS 20
in the attack area.
U 307 JlG on special operation.
U 957 southeast of AP 88 on special operation.
U 668 AB 1525 on special operation.
In port t
U 354, 425, 636, 703, 921, 956, 965, 968,
992 Narvik,
IT- 312, 387, 737, 995 Trondheim,
U 313, 315, 716 Bergen.
IV. Current U-boat operations :
(a) Convoy operations; None.
(b) Operational measures to intercept enemy
traffic:
4 boats in formation southwest of Bear Island
passage. 5 boats in attack areas in Kara Sea.
Radio intercept reports on traffic In Pechora
Sea and the approaches -to Kara Sea were
passed on to group "Greif" .
(c ) Special operations by single boats;
U 307 (Herrle) on operation "Schneehuhn" .
U 957 (Schaar) on reconnaissance of the
West Siberian Sea route »
U 668 (Eickstedt) on ice reconnaissance
north of Jan Mayen.
V. Reports of successes : None.
C. Surface forces; Nothing to report.
D. Survey of the situation:
Re II (d) :
''The radio traffic from Dikson strengthens the
suspicion that our U-boats have been observed in
that area. They have been informed of this and
will now have to operate extensively on their
ov/n initiative insofar as existing traffic and
enemy defenses allow."
•
p.p. Eckermann.
-1,226-
:":~z:~iai
15 August, 1944.
-r.e::~
tuation:
Air
race:'.:. _: : nee :
Pli(
- ' - r o •
A.
I.
1 Ju 33 : - Slipping and meteorological reconnais-
mce, route Banak - Bear Island - South Cere -
I: ord - ranak from 04:3 to 1035, nothing to
report, because of weather not exhaustive.
Fl ie^er Fu p 4 e
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance west of
t: r.eroe: iron 0342 to 100C . :s covered by
mist. At 0935 3 Swedish ships in AF 2860, course
rth.
Flic go r ~ v. : iir e r c :
1 Ju 88 or. _ recormaissa. :c Ja
Mc :5c. At 0700 or - ion broken
t in A -5. Route 50^ examined, e .ot
sighted.
II . ~.-. r :ii- :r. ~:i_ l::~:\~ I
(a) By IT- be :.t rone.
( b ) By air- rcconr.",: : eice; None .
( c ) By ncval i:r:G2 :
(d) By radic :.:i5r:e:: service;
C-orlo Strait/Ar lgel area: flotilla lea:
"Baku11, id 1 rector minesweeper
Kj ea: 1 . eweeper.
Britain: no. unirz inter a £ _n the Polyarno/
Archangel area.
( e ) By l-.I.S. staii : r.s : Nor.
B. U-boat3 :
III. U-to : Iter: .:
(c j i in. :-.-.i :.i ::-::: |
-":
------- ■ -
U 344 AB 5495 )
.-. 5967 ) in attack areas, depth
6795 ) of sweep 50 mile
U 99' A 9189 )
-1,227-
CONFIDENTIAL
Group "Greif" :
U 278 AT 85
U 362 AT 82
U 365 AT 64
U 739 AT 67
U 711 AS 20
in attack areas.
U 307 Hg 75 on special operation.
U 957 southeast of Xp 88 on special operation.
U 668 AB 11 on special operation.
In port;
U 354, 425, 636, 703, 921, 956, 968, 965,
992 Narvik,
J 312, 307, 737, 995 Trondheim,
U 313, 315, 716 Bergen.
IV. Current U-boat operations;
(a) Convoy operations; None,
(b) Operational measures to intercept enemy
traffic :
4 boats in formation southwest of Bear Island
passage. 5 boats in attack areas in Kara Sea.
Radio intercept reports on traffic in Pechora
Sea and the approaches to Kara Sea were
passed on to group "Greif"'.
(c) Special operations by single boats;
U 307 (Herrle) on operation "Schncehuhn" .
U 957 (Schaar) on reconnaissance of the West
Siberian Sea route.
U 668 (Eickstedt) on ice reconnaissance north
of Jan May en.
V. Reports of successes; None.
C, Surface forces; Nothing to report.
D« Survey of the situation;
Re IV (b);
"As we have still received no reports from Kara
Sea, the boats seem to have avoided attacking or
being attacked for the present. However, at
least the radio Intercept group might by now have
sent a report."
p.p. Eckermann.
-1,228-
CONFIDENTIAL
..PPENDIX I.
1 — ^im m mm -n ■ i — *
COPY
Most Secret
Sailing: order for U 544 (Pietsch)
1. Put out from Narvik on the forenoon of 3 August.
2. Proceed through Tjeldsund - Andf jord to AB 9189.
Compulsory pilotage from LBdingen to Harstad.
Submarine and aircraft danger off Andf jord.
3. Operational Order No. 15, Northern Waters frequency.
4. Russia-bound convoys are still to be expected. The
appearance of carrier groups in Northern Waters for
attacks on our bases and escorts is always possible.
Operations against convoys in accordance with Northern
Waters Orders Nos . 8 and 10. Last carrier group from
17 to 18 July.
5. Own forces ; 5 U-boats as group "Trutz'1 in attack areas,
depth of sweep 50 miles: U 347 (de Buhr), AB 5369 -
5944, U 921 (Werner) AB 6444 - 6355, U 425 (Bentzien)
^B 5967 - 6645, U 668 (Eickstedt) A3 6795 - AC 4473,
U 394 (Borger) AB 9189 - AC 4774. The boats are
ordered to remain in the western areas and to take
evasive action in the direction of the given line
according to the air situation. U 957 (Schaar), U 278
(Pranze), U 362 (Franz), U 711 (Langc) on special
operation in the east.
p.p. Roche.
-1,229-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX II.
COPY
Most Secret
Captain U-boats, Norway On board, 26 July, 1944
Serial No. Most Secret
3857 - A Ops .
Operational Order for U 507 (Herrle).
I. Task: Transportation and landing of scout unit
•. ''Schneehuhn" on Spitsbergen, support for- the
operation and return of unit.
II. Enemy situation:
1. Spitsbergen:
(a) According to air reconnaissance on 12 July,
Hornsund and Bellsund are free of the enemy.
The radio station at Sveagruva may be manned.
Expect armed motor vessels.
(b) Ice Fjord is occupied by about 2 companies of
Norwegian and British soldiers. Barentsberg
(GrBnf jord) and particularly Longyearby
(Advent Bay) are defended by gun posts, light
anti-aircraft guns and medium artillery. No
defenses recognized at Cape Linn6.
(c) The areas north of Ice Fjord are not likely to
be permanently occupied, but occasional
reconnaissance expeditions are made from
Barentsberg.
2. At the .moment convoys bound for Russia are
scarcely to be expected, but carrier groups may
appear at any ti: Date of last convoy 16 to 17
July, attack on Altaf jord ("Tirpitz" ) .
3. German Air Force: From 17 to 22 July strong forces
of "Liberators", "Catalinas" and "Sunderlands" flew
anti-submarine patrols as far as 15° E. Flying
boats were also occasionally observed off Ice
Fjord. It is quite possible that Advent Bay is
base for seaplanes. There is also an auxiliary
airfield for land planes at Cape Linn6.
III. Own forces :
(a) U-boats : Croup "Trutz" with 5 boats in attack
areas, depth of sweep 50 miles: U 547 (de Buhr)
AB 5369, U 921 (".Vomer) AB 6444, U 425 (Bontzien)
AB 5967, U 668 (Eickstedt), U 394 (Borger) AB
9189. Boats will take evasive action as far
Bear Island in the event of strong enemy air
patrols .
-1,250-
CONFIDENTIAL
Special operations: U 957 (Schaar), U 711 (Lange)
in easterly areas.
*
(b) German Air Forces Daily meteorological flights
Banak - Bear Island - 75° N, 5° E (or Hope Island)
- Banak. Continuation of flights to Spitsbergen,
and other reconnaissance will be announced.
IV. Execution:
1. Transfer to Narvik - Ramsund by noon on, 31 July.
Radio frequency ,fMCH, Northern Waters very long
wave .
2. Take on scout unit (10 Norwegian S.S. men in
German uniforms) at Ramsund roads from U 703
(Brunner) on pas sago from Trondheim.
3. Then proceed via inner leads to Hamnerfest, from
LBdingen to Tromso v/ith pilot, from TromsB escorted
by 2nd Inshore Defenses Unit. Scout unit to remain
below deck as far as nSR ln, must not be observed
by pilot, escort or from the- shore. Crew to remain
aboard and to be kept in Ignorance of the purpose
of the operation.
4. Put out from Harnmerfest as soon as the scout unit
leader, Lt . KBhl is on board. Proceed at Increased
speed (12 knots) via AB 3120. to Bellsund. Remain
unobserved at all costs .
5. Cautious approach of coast. It is decisive for the
success of the operation that the U-boat is not
discovered by aircraft, ships or land stations
during the entire period.
6. Reconnaissance of the landing place and landing in
co-operation with scout unit leader * Equipment of
unit with suitable provisions, and despatch of an
armed auxiliary unit, which should carry the first
supplies to the main supply camp. (To be, led by an
officer. )
7. Reconnoiter and agree on evacuation points as well
as ■ on definite days and times, at which the U-boat
will look out for the unit and be ready to pick it
up in case it should be. pursued by fche enemy.
Arrangement of recognition signal.
8. The unit is expected to stay ashore for 3 weeks.
During this time, keep watch on the unit's radio
frequency, decode their reports and re-transmit
on Northern Waters frequency at an adequate
distance from the coast. At other times lie
camouflaged off the coast or at sea, economical
speed.
9. Evacuation according to the agreement or as soon as
-1,231-
CONFIDENTIAL
position demands it. In emergency, give support
with boat's armamont. Then return to Andf jord -
Narvik, economical speed. Report passing of 76°
by time short signal.
10. Operational Order No. 15 in force. Operations
against enemy forces or convoys only in case of
special order.
V. Communi cat ions arrangements :
U-boat Northern Waters frequency. Maintain radio
silence until the successful completion of the landing
unless you are attacked. Copy of code "Schneehuhn"
must remain on board for receiving reports.
VI. Equipment :
1. 8 T 3 P.A.T. II torpedoes. Landing rubber dinghy
with outboard motor. Camouflage net which must
be brought back.
2. For auxiliary unit: mountaineering boots, field
wator-bottles , first aid kit, signaling flags,
signaling pistols, hand grenades and weapons.
3. Sea charts: 978, Norwegian 509. Outlines in
appendix.
VII. This Operational Order is to be destroyed on
returning; the crew should be specially instructed
about the need for secrecy even after the conclusion
of the operation. Report thereon to Captain U-boats .
p.p. Roche.
-1,232-
CONFIDENTIAL
— ^. ■ ■ ■■■■ ■ ■ ^ ■ ■*
APPENDIX III.
Most Secret
Short Reports
1. Short report from U 394 (Borger), second operation,
(first part).
2. Short report from U 921 (Werner), first operation.
3. Short report from U 425 (Bentzien), fourth operation.
-1,233-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX IIl/l
COPY
Most Secret
Teleprinter message:
1. Emergency. Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C
U-boats Ops .
2. Emergency. Admiral Commanding U-boats*
3. Emergency. For information Naval War Staff, First
Division.
4. Emergency. For information 11th U-boat Flotilla.
Clear as multiple address message.
Red - Most Secret.
Short report from U 594 (Border), second operation
(first part) .
27 July 1944 Put out from Harstad.
5 August Put in to Hammerf est with critically ill
man.
28 July -
2 August Attack area AB 9189.
3 August AC 4774.
4 August AB 6795.
2 August At 0115 in AB 9187 sighted Norwegian sub-
marine, type "BBBn: withdrew 20 miles to
the north, submerged and proceeded another
4 miles eastward.
.it 0800 loud Diesel noise, previously for an
hour on the same bearing noise of porpoises.
Enemy passed at a distance of 100 meters,
might have seen our periscope. Fired
"2aunk8nig!? torpedo, U-boat's bearing 175°,
range 1,000 meters: up to time of firing,
high speed; after firing torpedo, enemy
could no longer be heard; enemy speed still
8-10 knots .
After 11 minutes 52 seconds, explosio .. No
effect on target. Then enemy submerged, lost
in hydrophone pursuit.
Comments by Captain U-boats, Norway:
1. Operation abandoned near base because of critically ill
-1,234-
CONFIDENTIAL
man. Up to then operation of no special interest.
2. On 2 August unexplained miss. Type of enemy submarine
seems doubtful.
Captain U-boats, Norway Most Secret - 4024 - A Ops.
-1,235-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX II 1/2
COPY
Most Secret
Teleprinter message;
1. Emergency. Naval v/ar Staff, Second Division, C-in-C
U-boats Ops.
2. Emergency. Admiral Commanding U-boats.
3. Emergency. For information Naval War Staff , First
Division.
4. Emergency. For information 13th U-boat Flotilla.
Clear' as- multiple address message.
Most Secret.
.I , ■ .
Short report from U 921 (Werner) first operation.
2 July1 1944 Put out from Narvik.
7 August Put in tot Hammerf est .
9 August- Put in to Narvik.
Proceeded via AB 88"to" attack area AF 2134.
4 July -
6 August. Attack area and patrol line, group 5,Trutz" .
5 July At 1545 in AF 2119 "Fllogc" location,
continuous location transmission, signal
strength 1-2, snaked the line. Did not
submerge, no sighting.
7 July At 2116 in AB 7956, flying boat in periscope,
range 1,000 meters, type not .identified
because of fog.
13 July At 1337 in AF 1316" aircraft , range 10 km.,
couisc' 145°, no location. Remained
unobserved on surface.
17 July At C912 in AB 7915 continuous location
transmission on "Fliege", strength 1,
increasing, submerged.
19 '■ July At 0250 in AB 8835 short location trans-
mission on "Fliege", strength 2-3, snaked
the line .
At 0425 in AB 8818 aircraft, type not
-1,236-
CONFIDENTIAL
recognized, range 4,000 meters, no location,
snaked the line.
At 0550 in AB 8826 aircraft, flying boat, type
not identified, range 8,000 meters, no location,
snaked the line.
At 0651 in AB 8834 aircraft, large flying boat,
type not identified, range 7,000 meters,
continuous location transmission on "Fliege",
strength 2-3, submerged.
At 0924 in AB 8836 aircraft,- flying boat, type
not identified, range 6,000 meters, no location.
At 1934 in A3 8568 short location transmission,
strength 3, on "Fliege", submerged.
20 July At 0052 in AB 8536 short location transmission,
strength 3-4, on "Fliege" , submerged.
At 0432 in AB 8375 short location transmission,
strength 2-3, on "Fliege", submerged.
AT 0931 in AB 8346 short location transmission,
strength 4 - 5, on "Fliege", snaked the line.
At 0955 in AB 8346 aircraft. Attack by
"Liberator", range 4,000 meters. Location up
to overhead run.
First attack: 3 depth charges, 1' smoke float,
armament firing, altitude 80 meters, 3»7 cm.
gun semi- automatically clear. Second attack:
no location, '2 depth charges, armament fire,
altitude 40 meters. Then aircraft circled
round boat in AB 8349 until 1048, always making
for smoke float, 3*7 cm. gun proved effective.
Small-scale damage, 1 man wounded. With. 3*7 cm.
gun, kept aircraft at a distance of 4,000
meters. When flying off, aircraft dropped 2
smoke floats. .Submerged.
At 1755 in AB 8346 sighted "Liberator" at
periscope level, range 2,000 meters. Large oil
patch resulting from hole in external fuel tank.
At -2209 in AB 8342 aircraft sighted on
surfacing, range 7,000 meters," type not
identified, submerged,
21 July • At 0925 in A3 8533 short location transmission,
on "Fliege", strength 2-3, submerged*
22 July At 1306 in AB 3361 short location transmission,
on "Fliege", strength 3, submerged.
At 1425 in AB 8337 short location transmission,
on "Fliege", strength 3, submerged.
29 July At 0903 in AB 5656 flying boat, type not
identified, range 10 km., no location, submerged.
Experiences :
1. r,'T3tal of 3»7 cm. anti-aircraft gun very
soft, hence jamming.
2. "Elektra-Sonne 17" very accurate even over
land.
-1,237-
CONFIDENTIAL
Comments by Captain U-boats, Norway;
"Well-executed operation, no chance of success.
Although snaking the line is often offoctive in faint
locations, avoid unnecessary period on tho surface.
Signal strength is no clue as to distanco, in case
of the only attack there were still 20 minutes in
which to submerge. Defense well-conducted."
Captain U-boats s Norway Most Secret - 4105 - A 0p3,
-1,250-
CONFIDENTIAL
■ ■■»■■ ■ ^ m m i— ^— w^^
APPENDIX 1 1 1/3
COPY
Most Secret
Teleprinter message;
1. Emergency. Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C
U-boats Ops .
2. Emergency. Admiral Commanding U-boats.
3. Emergency. For information Naval War Staff, First
Division.
4. Immediate. For information 11th U-boat Flotilla.
Clear as multiple address message.
Most Secret.
Short report from U 425 (Bentzien), fourth operation.
18 July 1944 Put out from Hammerfest.
6 August Put in to Hammerfest.
18 July Proceeded to AB 9120, group "Trutz".
19 July Proceeded to AB 9420.
20 July At 1202 2 aircraft in AB 9433, course 270°
and 090°, one of them probably a "Liberator".
At 1602 ''Liberator" course 270°, AB 9426.
At 1722 7 distant depth charges.
21 July Attack area AB 6794. Proceeded submerged as
ordered.
23 July Short location transmissions several times
on "Naxos" during charging procedure. No
run-in, submerged.
26 July AB 5967. No further onomy sightings.
3 August Return passage.
Drifting mines: 21 July AB 9153, 23 July AB 6761,
2 August A3 5995, 4 August AB 6865,
British origin. (Type?).
Comments by Captain U-boats, Norway.
"No possibility for this experienced boat to score any
successes."
Captain U-boats, Norway Most Secret - 4104 - A Ops.
-1,239-
I
■
CONFIDENTIAL
WAR DIARY
OF
CAPTAIN U- BOATS , NORWAY
16 , - 51 AUGUST, 1944
PG/31864
CONFIDENTIAL
16 August, 1944.
A. Enomy situation:
I. Air reconnaissance:
Flieger Fuehrer 5:
1 Ju 88 on iioteorological rcconnaissanco, routo
Banak - Boar Island - Banak from 0355 - 0711,
nothing to report,.- exhaustive,
Flicger Fuehrer 4:
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance west of
the Faeroes from 0417 to 1145. Because of
weather not examined, enemy not sighted.
Fliogcr Fuehrer 5:
1 He 111 on meteorological reconnaissance to Jan
Mayon from 0438 to 1132. Route 50$ examined,
Jan Mayon area .70$ examined, enemy not sighted.
!!• Reports on the enemy:
■ . (a). Ey U-boats : None.
(b) By air reconnaissance: None.
(c) Bj naval forces : None.
(d) By radio intercept service:
Iokanka area: 5 minesweepers.
Gorlo Strait/Archangel area: flotilla leader
"Baku", 2 minelayers and 1 minesweeper.
Belushya/Kara Sea area: 2 minesweepers.
Britain: no units intercepted in the Polyarno/
Archangel area.
"Kentmann" reports : in the Dikson area
destroyers "Baku", "Uritski", 4 fast
' submarine chasers, 1 minelayer, 20 escort
vessels and some 20 merchant ships intercepted
in traffic.
(e) 3y G-.I.S. 'stations; None.
B. U-boats.:
III* U-boat positions and alterations of position:
(a) Positions at 0800:
Group "Trutz" :
U 344 AB 5495 )
U 394 AB 5967 ) in attack areas, dopth of
U.363 AB 6795 ) sweep 50 miles.
U 997 AB 9189 )
-1,240-
CONFIDENTIAL
arour "Groif " t '
AT 65 )
U 365 AT 64 ) .
U 739 AT 67 ) in attack area.
2 AT 82 )
U 507 AG- 75 on special operation.
U 957 southeast of AF 88 on special operation.
U 668 A3 11 on special operation.
In port;
U 354, 425, 636, 703, 921, 956, 965, 968,
992 Narvik,
U 312, 387, 757, 995 Trondheim,
U 313, 315, 716 Bergen.
(b) U-boats homeward and outward bound;
0017 U 711 commenced return passage from AS 20 to
Hammerf est .
1516 Group "Trutz" : U 344 Droceedins to AB 4770,
U 997 to A? 2190.
IV. Current U-boat operations ;
(a) Convoy operations; None.
(b) Operational measures to intercept enemy traffic;
4 boats in formation southwest of Bear Island
passage. 4 boats in Kara Sea attack areas.
1 boat on return passag
1516 Radio message 1417/718 sent:
Group "Trutzw from Captain U-boats;
"1. At 0430 on 17 August, 1::FW 200 will take
off from Trondheim for ice reconnaissance
in AA 60.
2. Proceed immediately as safety service
vessels: "Plot sen" to A3 4770, "Lehmann" to
AF 2190. Increased speed."
Radio intercept reports on traffic in Pechora
Sea and the approaches to Kara Sea v/cre passed
on to group "Groif " .
(c) Special operations by single boats:
U 307 (Kerrlo) on operation "Schneehuhn" .
' V 957 (Schaar) on reconnaissance of the West
Siberian Sea route.
U 668 (Eickstcdt) ~onicC~ reconnaissance north
of Jan Mayen. •
0515 Radio message 0017/7Q5 received from U 711
(Lango) :
"Attack periscope out" of order as result of
ice damage. Started to return to Hammerf est
-1,241-
CONFIDENTIAL
to transfer a radio intercept transmitter
with "Schwabcnland" receiver to "Schaar"
for aircraft radio observation. Request
necessary replacement and periscope in
Hammerfest by 20 August. "Schaar" has
refuelled."
"Kent-nann" reported that, according to the
radio intercept service, our boats have been
observed in Kara Sea.
This strengthened our previous supposition.
0546 Radio message 0119/707 received from U 957
(Schaar) via U 711 (Lange ) :
" "Schaar" reports Kara Strait impassable.
Favorable waiting position off Yugorski
Strait, 69° 56' N, 61° E. Presume minefield
eastwards from Beli. Second minefield from
radio mast to Beli."
1145 Radio message 1145/714 sent;
"Greif" from Captain U-boats. Subject:
message No. 707 ;
"The minefields detected by "Schaar" lie at
the eastern entrance to Yugorski Strait off
Beli Huk."
2126 Radio message 1940/612 received from U 668
(Eickstedt)Y
"Limit: from AA 3311 via 512 to 153. En
route no aircraft or locations."
Thus the commander reported the ice limit
as observed and simultaneously that he had
gone beyond 10° E on his return passage.
(d) Miscellaneous :
1128 Radio message 1055/711 sent:
" "Lange" from Captain U-boats:
Confirm by short signal that your main
periscope is out of order and that Hammerfest
is suitable for vital repairs. It is intended
that you put out again immediately. Replace-
ment requested for radio intercept transmitter."
1152 Short signal 1152/712 received from U 711
(Lange) :
"My position is AF 8775."
3oat rcyiortcd Hammerfest suitable for
periscope repairs.
-1,242-
CONFIDENTIAL
V. -Reports of successes; Hone.
C. Surface forces:
Nothing to report .
D. Plans :
1800 Teleprinter message .Most Secret 10386 A 1. received
from Naval Chief Command, Norway, Operations Staff:
"1. Obtain ice report from "Eickstedt" as soon as
possible. Evaluation of it is to be made by
19 August.
2. "Edelweiss" will put out. after the codeword is
received. Order sailing according to the local
situation. It is most important that the
sailing be unobserved.. Transmit place and
time of leaving inner leads.
3. Inform boats of group "Trutz" of the exact
times, courses and character of the codeword
operation, and, if necessary, forbid attacks."
E. S.urvey of the situation:
Re IV (c):
"Up to now no boat from Kara Sea has reported an
attack or success. It is all the more striking
that for days Russian radio traffic from Dikson,
Belushya and Archangel has given further indications
for. the assumption that cur boats have been
observed there. We must therefore presume that
radio conditions are so unfavorable that various
reports from the boats have not come through.
Prom the traffic continually observed in Yugorski
Strait the 4 boats to the east of the Strait must
have had opportunities to attack."
p.p. Eckermscnn.
17 August, 1944
— — ^— I l\ > — ■■■!■ f ■ ■ ^ !■ ■■ ■
A.
I.
Enemy-
situation:
Air reconnaissance:
Pliege
r Fuehrer 5:
2 BP 109 on shipping and coastal reconnaissance,
route Petsamo - Motka Bay - Cape Kora - Bolni -
North exit - Liza Port - Vladimir - Ura Bay -
Petsamo, no shipping observed.
-1,243-
CONFIDENTIAL
2 BF 109 on shipping and coastal reconnaissance
of the north and west sides of Fisher Peninsula.
Partially executed, no shipping observed north
of Fisher Peninsula.
Flieger Fuehrer 4:
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance west of
the Faeroes from 0440 to 1255, enemy not sighted.
Faeroes not examined because of mist.
Flieger Fuehrer 5;
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance to Jan
Mayen from 0435 to 1057. Route and eastern part
of Jan Mayen 50$ examined, enemy not sighted. 1
PW 200 on ice reconnaissance, routo Vacrnos -
Jan Mayen - Koldewey South Point - X.H 8848 -
AA 3472 - Jan Mayen -• Vaernes from 0428 to 1847,
enemy not sighted.
II. Reports on the enemy;
(a) By U-boats : None .
(b) By air reconnaissance: None.
(c). By naval forces ; None.
(d) By. .radio intercept service:
18th Group: lively flying activity (27 air-
craft). Reconnaissance of northern North Sea.
At 0750 and 1232 radio message from Dikson,
at 1424 message from Archangel.
At 1508 Polyarno sent a codeword of first
priority to all naval forces .
At 1205 a radio message of first priority
from Bclushya to Dilcson. At 1525 and 1534
Polyarno sent a codeword of very high priority
to destroyers UK" and "Grcmyashchi" . Lively
radio transmissions to submarines in the
operational area off the Norwegian coast.
liL'15i?- intercepted transmitting.
Iokanka area? flotilla leader "Baku",
destroyer "E" .
Belushya/Kara Sea area: 2 guardships, 2
minesweepers and 1 ice-breaker.
Britain: no units intercepted in the Polyarno/
Archangel area.
(c) By G.I.S. stations: None.
B. U-boats :
III • U-boat positions and alterations of position :
(a) Positions at 0800:
-1,244-
::::r:pz::r:^L
Grou^ "Trutz":
U 668 A3 5369 ) . , , , , .,
U 39-: 5967 ) .J? £^ack^re?^ de?th
U 363 AB 6795 ) 0± SUeep 50 m±lBa '
Group "Greif":
U 278 AT 85 )
D 352 AT 82 )
U 365 *T 64 ) in the attack area.
D 739 AT 67 )
V 307 8.G 75 on special operation... _
U 957 hdast of X.P 88 on special operation.
U 344 A3 4770 on special operation.
997 .-. 2>n special operation.
In port :
U 354, 425, 636, 703, 921, 956, 965, 968, 992
Narvik,
U 312, 387, 737, 995 Trondheire,
U 313, 515, 716 Bergen.
(b) u-boats hone -.vara and outward bound:
2020 U 995 put : from Trondhei: fe proceed
inner leads to Narvik.
U 711 on return passage fr: AS 20 to Hammerfesi
2330 Group "Trutz": U 344 proceeding to new attack
area rtB 546-^, U 6o8~ to AB 5645, U 997 to
AB 9189, all depth of sweep 50 miles.
IV. Current U-boat opei ins:
( a ) C onv.o;,' ov e r a t i : - .£ : None .
(b) 0perai:L;nal measures to intercept enerr:
traffic :
■ ■ ■ ' ■ ■ •
3 boats in formation southwest of r Island
passage. 4 boats in a Sea attack areas.
Radio intercept reports on traffic in Pechora
Sea and the approaches tc a Sea were
passed on to group "Greif".
After the repor that the ice reconnaissance
plane landed, both safety service vessels
could return to the formatic ;roup "Trutz" .1
2319 Radio r.:e;sa~e 2305/75 9 sent:
Group "Trutz" from Captain U-boats.
"1. Plane landed. "Pietsch" -and "Lehmann"
turn about .
2, "Lehmann11 : report position.
3. - attack areas, iieDth of sweep 50 r.iiles :
"Pietsch11 AB 5464, "Eickstedt" 5645,
-1,245-
CONFIDENTIAL
"Borgor" 5967, '"Noes" 6795-, "Lehmann"
9189."'
( c ) Special' operations by s ingle boats :
U 307 (Herrle) on operation "Schneehuhn" .
U 957 (Schaar) on reconnaissance of the
, West Siberian Sea route.
U 344 (Pietsch) and U 997 (Lehmann) acting
as safety service vessels for an ice
reconnaissance flight.
V. Reports of success e-s : None.
C. Surface forces.0 Nothing to report.
D. Survey of the situation:
Re II (d) :
-
"The urgent- radio. traffic from Dikson gives
further indication of the" activity, of our U-boats
in Kara Sea.1'
p.pv. Eckermann.
18 August, 1944
A.
I.
Enemy situation:
Air
reconnaissance :
Flie
sger Fuehrer o i
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance, route
Banal: - Bear Island - Banak from 0358 to 0728.
Route examined as far as Bear Island, nothing to
report .
Flieger Fuehrer 4:
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance west of
the Faeroes from 035b to 1255. Faeroes covered
by mist-, enemy not sighted.
Flieger Fuehrer 5:
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance to Jan
Mayen from 0432 to 1142. Route 70$, Jan Mayen
area 50$ examined, enemy not sighted.
II. Reports on the enemy:
(a) 3y U-boats: eastbound convoy in AT 6434, sco
under IV (b ) .
-1,246-
CONFIDENTIAL
B.
III.
(b) By air reconnaissance,; None.
(c) By na va 1 f or c e s s None.
(d) By radio intercept service:
At 0226 on 18 August, radio message of first
priority from Belushya to Dikson? passed on by
Dikson at 0519 to all naval forces in Northern
V/aters .
Murmansk area: flotilla leader "Baku" and
destroyer " J" .
Iokanka area: 2 minesweepers •
Gorlo Strait/Archangel area: 4 guardboats .
Britain: no units intercepted in the Polyarno/
Archangel area. .......
(e) By G.I.S. stations: None.
U-boats i
U-boat positions and alterations of position:
(a) Positions at 0800:
Group "Trutz":
_ __ U 344 AB 4766 on passage.)
' U 668 AB 5645 ) • ^ ,
U 394 AB 5967 )in at; t,ack- areas-,
U 363 AB 6795 )*®pt]?,of SWe6P
U 997 AB 8888 on passage .) bU miles.
Group "Greif " :
U 278 AT 85 )
U 362 AT 82 )
U 365 AT 64 ) in attack areas.
U 739 AT 67 )
U 307 1g 75 on special operation.
U 957 southeast of J*F 88 on special
operation.
In port:
IV.
U 354, 425, 636, 703, 921, 956, 965, 968,
992 Narvik,
U.312, 387, 737 Trondheim,
U 313, 315, 716 Bergen.
(b) U-boats homeward and outward bound:
U 995 proceeding by inner leads, from Trondheim
to Narvik.
U 711 on return passage from AS 20 to Hammerfest.
Current U-boat operations:
(a) Convoy operations: None.
-1,247-
CONFIDENTIAL
(b) Operational measures to intercept enemy
traffic:
5 boats in formation southwest of Bear Island
passage. 4 boats in Kara Sea attack areas.
Radio intercept reports on traffic in Pechora
Sea and the approaches to Kara Sea were passed
on to group "G-reif " .
0229 Radio message 0012/745 received from U 365
(Y/odemeyer) :
if0n'12 August in AT 6454 sank .eastbound
steamer "Chapaev" and 2 escort vessels. 1
escort vessel escaped. 2 T 5 torpedoes left,
one of which cannot be fired from stern.
Returning. Inexperienced aircraft and
patrols, otherwise no sightings. Up to now
have been unable to transmit. No ice, am in
AT 6173."
It was assumed that the boat had been trying
in vain to report since 12 August. This also
explained how our U-boats were observed in
Kara Sea. It was not clear from the report
whether all other torpedoes had been fired,
necessitating return. Therefore,
1014 radio message 0944/750 was sent:
!? "Wedemeyer" from Captain U-boats .
Presume that, apart from 2 T 5 torpedoes, all
other torpedoes have been fired: confirm "Yes",
by short signal. Return only If this is the
case, otherwise occupy former attack area,"
0312 Short signal 0512/744 received from U 997
(Lehmann) :
"My position is AF 2247."
Thus "Lehmann" reported that he was again
with group "Trutz" as ordered. The enemy
should be misled aej to our formation by this
transmission from a southerly direction.
(c) Special operations by single boats:
U 307 (Herrle) on operation "SchnoGhuhn" . ■
U 957 (Schaar) on reconnaissance of tho West
Siberian Sea route.
For the execution of operation "Edelweiss" by
coastguard ship No. 6 (Kchdingen) and U 703
(Brunner), Naval Chief Command, Norway,
-- • Operations Staff Most Secret 1118 A 1 S.O.s
only was received:
" Sonne nblume via AB 28 to AA 3720, from thore
on nort-i./estorly course."
-1,248-
CONPI DENTIAL
That was .the sailing order which would most
quickly make use' of the particularly favorable
ice position discovered by air reconnaissance
east of Greenland. U 703 was also to take out
2 weather buoys to be tested before use.
Meanwhile coastguard ship No. 6 was to move to
TromsB to clarify operational questions with
Admiral Polar Coast and the Naval Communications
Officer there.
(d) Miscellaneous ;
In communication Host Secret 7190 A Ops. 1
transfer order for 965 "(Unvcrzagt) was sent;
"1. Put out from Narvik at 1400 on 19 August.
2. Proceed via Tjeldsund to TromsB, with
pilot from Lodingcn and after replenishing,
proceed in accordance with Operational
Order No. 16, escorted by 2nd Inshore
Defenses Unit.
3. Boat is expected by 2nd Inshore Defenses
Unit. Report time of sailing from TromsB
punctually to 2nd Inshore Defenses Unit.
4. Prom Harstad radio frequency "Anton I"
under Scries No. 600, Northern Waters very
long wave."
V. Reports of successes;
Radio message from U 365 (Wodcmeyer), sec under
IV (b)s 1 steamer and 2 escort vessels sunk.
C. Surface forces : Nothing to report.
D. Plans:
Mining and Barrage Command TromsB reported that the
submarine mines destined for Pechora Sea would be
ready from 19 August. 1 boat could be loaded there
daily. U 965 will be the first of the 6 boats to
arrive there for loading on 20 August. The others
will follow daily and then wait in Hammerfest for
a combined operation.
E. Survey of the situation;
Re IV (b)s
"The bad radio conditions in the east leave
Command still doubtful as to the situation of
group "Greif" in Kara Sea, since it is not obvious
from reports by "Lange" and "Wedemeyer" . At any
rate we must expect surprises from that area."
p.p. Eckermann.
-1,249-
CONFIDENTIAL
19 August, 1944.
A. Enemy situation's
I. Air reconnaissance;
Flieper Fuehrer 5;
1 He 111 on meteorological reconnaissance, route
Banak - Bear Island - Banak.from 0357 to 0.837,
nothing to report, not exhaustive because of
weather.
Flieger Fuehrer 4;
1 I. ■ I ■ I >■■■■»■■ ■!.■■ ■ ■— —
1 Ju 188 and 1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnais-
sance in the sea. '.area west 'of the Faeroes from
0445 to 1244. Faeroes examined between SyderB
and SandBy, enemy not sighted.
Flieger Fuehrer 5:
No reports .
II. Reports on the enemy;
(a) By U-boats: "None.
(b) By air reconnaissance: None.
(c) By naval forces: None.
(d)- By radio intercept service:
18th Group: lively flying activity, (31 air-
craft) .
On the evening of 18 August radio transmissions
of first priority from Iokanka and Polyarno
to all ships at sea, from Dikson and Archangel
to all naval forces in Northern Waters ,
between Dikson and Polyarno and from Belushya
to Dikson.
Pummanki area: from 0100 to 0245 on 19 August
15 M.T.B.s .
Iokanka area: 4 guardships and 2 minesweepers.
Dikson aroa: 1 minesweeper and 1 guardboat.
Britain: no units intercepted in the Polyarno/
Archangel ""area . '
Bearings from Svanvik: from 2202 to 2229 on
18 August British unit in 254° - 257°.
Russian radio traffic: considerable to lively.
(e) By G.I.S. stations: Non .
B. U-boats :
III. U-boat pos.it. ions and alt orations of position:
-1,250-
CONFIDENTIAL
(a) Positions at 0800
Group "Trutz" ;
in attack areas'; depth of
sweep 50 miles .
U 544 AB 5464
U 668 AB 5645
U 394 AB 5967
U 363 AB 6795
U 997 AB 9189
Group "Greif " ; '
U 278 AT 85 )
U 362 AT 82 ) .
U 365 AT 64 ) in ^^e attack area.
U 739 AT 67 )
U 307 Sg 75 on special operation.
U 957 s(
In port
m
U 957 southeast of AF 8.8 on special operation.
U 354, 425, 636, 703, 921, 956,' 965, 968,
992 Narvik,
U 312, 387, 737 Trondheim,
U 313, 315, 716 Bergen.
(b) U-boats homeward and outward bound;
■ ■ ■ I ■ ■ i ■ ■ ■ ■ 1 I ■ I 11 I ■ « II I III ■ p I I |..l .11 I I I .
1400 U 965 put .out from Narvik, at 2015 put in to
Harstad and at 2210 put out from Harstad
for TromsB.
1900 U 995 put in to Narvik from Trondheim by
inner leads,
2145 U 711 put in to Hammerfest from AS 20.
IV. Current U-boat operations :
(a) Convoy operations; None.
(b) Operational measures to intercept enemy traffic;
5 boats in formation southwest of Bear Island
passage. 4 boats in Kara Sea attack areas.
Radio intercept reports on. traffic in Pechora
Sea and the approaches to Kara Sea were
passed on to group "Orelf" .
2400 Radio message 2546/764 sent;
11 "Wedemeyer" from Captain U-boats .
Short signal "Yes" of 18 August passed on
by "Lange" ."
The boat had accordingly been returning since
18 August and had fired all torpedoes except the
2 T 5 torpedoes .
(c) Special operations by single boats:
U 307 (Herrle) on operation "Schneehuhn" .
-1,251-
CONFIDENTIAL
U 957 (Schaar) on reconnaissance of the West
Siberian Sea route.
V. Reports of success -s : None.
C. Surface forces:
- ■
0408 Radio message 2257/98 received from the "Tirpitz" :
"From 20 August 1944, the "Tirpitz" will be unfit
for operations while the final repairs are
carried out on the skin plating, Section Il/<
starboard."
'2
D. Survey of the situation;
Re II (d) and IV (b);
"The urgent radio traffic from Dikson and
Belushya continues. After our experience with
"Wedemoyer" , we can expect hardly any reports
from our boats in Kara Sea to get through.
Group "Greif" is perhaps having successes; at
any rate the boats should have wide contact with
the increasing forces of the Russian air and sea
patrols but no reports can be sent, in to' Command.
The boats must therefore operate extensively on
their own initiative."
•p..p-r Eckormann.
20 August,. 1944.
A. Enemy situation:
I. Air reconnaissance:
■ in---—- - J-- — —
Flicker Fuehrer 5 : ; . .
1 Ju 38 on meteorological reconnaissance, route
Banak - 3c ar Island - Banak from 0458 to 0755,
nothing to report, not exhaustive.
Fliogcr Fuehrer 4:
1 Ju 88 on meteorological rcconnaissanco, in the
area west of the Faeroes from .0447 to 1310, no
shipping identified at Sydcro. ■
Flicker Fuehrer 5:
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance to Jan
Maycn from 0458 to 1158. Route 70$, Jan Mayon
area 30% oxaminpcU
CONFIDENTIAL
II.
B.
III.
Reports on the enemy; •
(a) By U-boats s Aircraft report by U 344 (Pietsch),
see under IV (b) .
(b) By air reconnaissance;
At 0800 in A.B 7857 1 cruiser of 8,0.00 G.R.T.,
3 destroyers and 2- corvettes in all-round
screen, course 360°, speed 20 'knots .
(c) B?/~ naval forces; None.
'(d) By radio intercept, service;
At 2230 on 19 August, radio message of first
priority from Dikson to all via- Iokanka.
Gorlo Strait/Archangel areas destroyer " Ur itski",
5 guardships , 1 minesweeper and 2 guardboats .
Belushya/Kara Sea area; 8 minesweepers and 1
guardboat .
Britain: no units intercepted ,in the Polyarno/
Archangel area.
(e) By G.I.S. stations; None.
U-boats ;
U-boat positions and alterations of position:
(a) Positions at 0800:..
Group "Trutz":
U 344 AB 5464
U 668 AB 5645
U 394 AB 5967
U 363 AB 6795
U 997 AB 9189
Group "Greif":
in attack areas, depth of
sweep 50 miles .
1335
U 278 AT 85 )
U 362 AT 82 ) in attack areas.
U 739 AT 67 )
U 307 2.G 75 on special operation.
U 957 southeast of ' AF"88' on-spacial operation.
In port :
U 711 Hammerfest,
U 354, 425, 636, 703, 921, 956, 968, 992,
995 Narvik,
U 312, 387, 737 Trondheim,
U 313, 315, 716 Bergen.
(b) U-boats homeward and outward bound;
U 965 put in to Trornso from Harstad.
-1,253-
CONFIDENTIAL
2000
2100
2215
U 425 put out from Narvik for Harstad
U 960 put out from Narvik for TromsB.
U 703 put out from Narvik for TromsB.
U 565 on return passage from AT '64 to
,'icrfest .
IV.
2236
1030
1113
1300
1757
Current U-boat operations :
(a) Convoy operations; None.
(b) Operational measures to intcr'cc pt enemy
traffic : ' ; '
5 boats in formation southwest, of Bear Island
passage. 3 boats in Kara Sea attack areas.
Radio intercept reports on traffic in Pechora
Sea and the approaches to Kara Sea were
passed on to group "Greif " .
. i Radio- mess ago 2221/782 sent:
"l. "Franz": thrust ahead to AT 54, if
prospects in AT 02 are slight.
2. "Mangold": attack area AT 64."
After "V/odcmeycr" had left, both boats were
ordered to more favorable positions.
By telephone, Plieger Fuehrer 5 gave an
enemy report from the meteorological plane;
this was at once passed on to the boats .
Radio message 1025/768 sent;
"Group "Trutz", "Herrle" from Captain U-boats.
Meteorological plane reported a cruiser, 3
destroyers, 2 corvettes, course north speed
20 knots in A3 7857 at 0820."
Telephone call recoived from Flicker Fuehrer 5:
"Sighted formation: ahead 2 corvettes, then
1 cruiser with lattice tower of about 8,000
.tons, astern 2 destroyers, finally another
•' destroyer, visibility 50. km. , long wako,
course north, 20 knots."
Disposition rather indicates previous southerly
course: long wake contradicts the idea of a
deceptive course. mbor of funnels not
discovered. Presume they are further supplies
for Spitsbergen or that. cruisers are being
transferred to Russia.
Short signal 1757/778 received from U 344
( Pie t sen) : '
"Carrier-borne piano. My position Is AB 5480."
-1,254-
CONFIDENTIAL
1858
1933
2101
0520
1136
This seems to confirm the northerly course.
Radio moss ago 1841/779 received from U 394
(Borger) t
"Presume search group in AB 78. For 3 days
there have been irregular series of explosions
far to the southwest (very inaccurate). Am
in 5935, proceeding to 72. Wind west, force 5,
atmosphere 1012 millibars, rising."
Radio message 1911/780' sent;
"Herrle", group "Trutz" from Captain U-boats.
"1. Cruiser formation reported in AB 7850 is
possibly steering for Spitsbergen or
escorting a carrier.
2 . "Herrle" ; inform "Schneehuhn" ."
As it was not certain, from "Borger" fs report
whether the boat was operating against the
formation,
radio message 2041/781 was sent;
"Intentions and course of reported cruiser
uncertain. Group "Trutz" not to operate on it.
Boats sighted on the surface, located or
intercepted by D/F will be by-passed and
attacked by aircraft."
(c) Special operations by single boats;
U 307 (Herrle) on operation "Schneehuhn".
U 957 (Schaar) on reconnaissance of the West
Siberian Sea route.
Radio message QI57/7G6 received from U 307
(Herrle ) ;
"Barentsberg unoccupied. Anti-aircraft guns at
Herodden. Anti-aircraft site at Revneset
destroyed by assault detachment."
The report was forwarded to G.I.S. station Oslo,
U 703 (Brunner) proceeded to Tromso with a
meteorological buoy .for operation "Edelweiss".
Teleprinter message Naval Chief Command, Norway
Most Secret 10532 A 1 received, according to
which the sailing of "Edelweiss" was temporarily
postponed because of the reported cruiser
formation.
(d) Miscellaneous ?
In Most Secret 4214 A Ops. 1, transfer order
-1,255-
CONFIDENTIAL
for U 968 (Westphalen) was sent;
"l. Put out from Narvik on the evening
of 20 August.
2. Proceed to TromsB with pilot from
LBdingon. Make fast early on 21
August at Mining' and Barrage Command,
TromsB.
5. As far as Harstad frequency "MC" , then
"Anton I" under Series No. 600, Northern
Waters very long wave.
4. After taking in supplies, put out from
TromsB for Hammerfest in accordance with
Operational Order No. 16 escorted by 2nd
Inshore Defenses Unit.
5. Boat is expected by 2nd Inshore Defenses
Unit; time of sailing must however be
sent by the commander to 2nd Inshore
Defenses Unit. Report time of sailing
to Captain U-boats."
1135 Teleprinter message Most Secret 4217 A Ops. 1
sent to 13th U-boat Flotilla:
"Transfer order' for U 312 (Nikolay);
1. Put out from Trondheim for Narvik on the
afternoon of 21 August.
2. Proceed via Frohavet and onwards- at a
. -distance • of 50 miles from the coast as far
as 66° N in accordance with Order No. 14,
make for West fjord.
3. Report probable time of arrival at-
approach point and also the passing of
"V 1" by time short signal... .'.
• *
4. Radio frequency "Anton II" ,.. Northern
Waters very long wave."
In Most Secret 4218 A Ops. 1, transfer order
for 1/ 992 (Falkc) v. "■,: sent;
"1. Put out from Narvik on the evening of 21
Aug us t .
2. From LBdingen to TromsB v/ith pilot. Mako
fast early on 22 August at Mining and
Barrage Command, TromsB.
3. After taking in supplies, procood further
to Hammerfest escorted by 2nd Inshore
Defenses Unit in accordance with
Operational Order No. 16.
-1,256-
CONFIDENTIAL
4. Boat is expected by 2nd Inshore Defense
Unit, Tine of sailing, must be orally
passed on to 2nd Inshore Defenses Unit by
the commander. (Prom Tromso time of sailing
to Captain U-boats . )
5. Radio frequency -as far 'as Harstad "MC" from
Harstad w Ant on IH under Scries No. 600,
Northern Waters very long v/avc . "
V. Reports of successes: None.
C. Surface forces:
Nothing to report.
D. Survey of the situation:
Re IV (b) :
"Course and destination of the sighted cruiser
formation are too uncertain and the speed too high
for the boats to operate against it. After the
appearance of carrier-borne planes, the boats
might indeed become chance casualties, if they
wore to display themselves to enemy reconnaissance
by proceeding at high speed on the surface. As
long as no convoy is identified, the boats of
group "Trutz" will therefore remain unobserved
as far as possible in their attack areas.''
p.p. Eckcrmann.
21 August, 1944.
A. Enemy situation:
I. Air reconnaissance:
Flieger Fuehrer 5:
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance, route
Banak - Bear -Island -• Banak from ,0400 to 0723,
nothing to report, ^exhaustive.
Flieger Fuehrer 4:
1 Ju 88: on meteorological reconnaissance, in the
area v/est of the Faeroes from 0416 to 1221.
At 0900 in 26 W 3110 (AM 1231) 1 merchant ship of
10,000 G.R.T., course 140°. Faeroes not examined
because of mist.
Fliegor Fuehrer 5:
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance to Jan
Mayen from 0502 to 1030. Mission abandoned at
-1.257-
CONFIDENTIAL
i
0755 in AB 7480 because of technical trouble.
Route 70% examined, enemy not sighted.
II. Reports on the enemy;-
(a) By U-boats :
Convoy report from U 344 (Pietsch),
destroyer report from U 344 (Pietsch),
aircraft report from U 363 (Nees), see
under IV (a) .
(b) By air reconnaissance: None.
(c) By naval forces; None.
(d) By radio intercept service;
During the day several reports of carrier
radio traffic and bearings were received from
the German Air Force and Naval D/F Stations.
The bearings seemed to indicate that there
was a carrier formation lying somewhat apart
from the convoy.
18th Group; lively flying activity (25 air-
craft), reconnaissance of the northern North
Sea.
At 1439 and 2225 a radio message of first
priority from Polyarno and Iokanka to all
naval forces in Northern Waters and another
at 1950 from BGlushya to Dikson..
Iokanka area: 1 minesweeper.
Archangel area: 2. minelayers.* 9 minesweepers,
4 guardboats and 1 ico-brcakcr.
Britain: no units intercepted in the Polyarno/
Archangel area.
(e) By G.I.S. stations: None.
B. U-boats :
III* U-boat positions and alterations of position:
(a) Positions at 0800:
Group "Trutz'' :
U 344 AB 5464 )
U 668 AB 5645 ) . _ ..
U 394 AB 5967 )in Gttack ^roas, depth
U 363 AB 6795 )of SWGeP 50 milcs •
U 997 AB 9189 )
Group "Grcif" :
U 278 AT 85 )
U 362 AT 57 ) in the attack arc .
U 739 AT 64 )
-1,258-
CONFIDENTIAL
U 507 jLg 78 on special operation.
U 957 southeast of hF 88 on special operation.
In port*
U 711 Hammerf e*s"t ,"
U 703, 965, 968 TromsB,
U 425 Harstad,
U 354, 636, 921, 956, 992, 995 Narvik,
U 312, 387, 737 Trondheim,
U 313, 315, 716 Bergen.
(b) U-boats homeward and outward bound;
0450 U 425 put in to Harstad from Narvik.
0800 U 968 put in. to TromsB from Narvik, at 1900
put out for HammeVf o's't .
1045 U 703 put in to TromsB, at 1335 put out to
operate against convoy.
1530 U 992 put out from Narvik, put in to Harstad
at 2210.
1845 U 354 put out from Narvik to operate against
convoy.
1900 U 965 put out from TromsB for Hammerf est.
1100 U 307 on return passage to Hammerf est from
AG 75.
.U 365 on return passage from AT 64 to
Hammerf est .
1100 Group "Trutz" proceeding to operate on convoy
report .
IV. Current U-boat operations;
(a) Convoy operations;
5 boats to attack convoy. 2 boats approaching.
1022 Short signal 1020/789 received" from U 344
(Pictsch) ; !
"Convoy in AB 5450, course 060°, at 0600. ".
As this report was not sent until four hours
after "the" sighting, wo could presume that the
commander had definite clues to show that it
was a convoy and 'not merely "naval forces.
On the basis of yesterday fs cruiser report, thoj
speed of advance was 'found" to 'bo 11 knots; but
it was not certain that it was the same
formation.
1045 Short signal 1045/791 received from U 344
(Pictsch) ;
"3 destroyers in AB 5455." ..
Thus five hours after the convoy these
destroyers wore in the same square.
-1,259-
CONFIDENTIAL
1133 Radio message 1104/795 sent:
Group "Trutz" from Captain "U-boats .
"Operate on convoy report: at 0600 in AB
5450, course 060°, speed 11 knots. Maximum
speed. "
1201 Radio message 1115/796 sent:
"Put out immediately at maximum speed for
AC 18: "Brunner" from TromsB, '^thamer1' from
Narvik."
So the only boats at readiness in the ports
were set on the convoy. The others were
ready for minelaying operations and not for
use against the convoy, as ro-cquipping with
torpedoes wo uld take a long time.
To ascertain whether "Pietsch" really had
sighted a convoy,
1359 radio message 1555/799 was sent:
"1. "Pietsch": report if it Is definitely a
convoy, what units have been counted, or
if it is possibly yesterday's cruiser
. group.
2. "Herrlc": operate freely on your own
initiative depending on the condition of
the boat and your position."
'•'Herrlc" ' s boat was ready for dockyard after
the last trip and was only capable, of limited
diving.
In cooperation with Captain U-boats,,, Norway,
Luftflottc 5 directed Luftflotte 3 to
dispatch 3 BV 138 on reconnaissance against
the convoy, but only given 7/10 cloud.
Reconnaissance was not to bo flown until a
report had boon received confirming tho
convoy.
1520 Radio message 0658/701 received from U 344
(Pietsch):
"At 0604 convoy in. 5450, course 060°, speed
8 knots . 2 T 5 torpedoes fired at corvette,
missed: probably through depth charges
released shortly after firing. Fan-of-throc
at cruiser of "Dido" class. 3 successive
detonations. • After 2 hours in the same
position, still 1 destroyer, 2 frigates,
cross courses, then- made off on course 060°,
speed 12 knots."
1528 Radio message 1547/702 received from U 344
(Pietsch) :
"At 1110 in AB 5456 large patch of oil, thick
-1,260-
CONFIDENTIAL
furnace oi.l, countless pieces of wreckage ;
again submerged because of 3 carrier-borne
planes. Still have 3 T 5 and 2 T 3 torpedoes.
Wind southwest, force 3, sea 2, overcast,
visibility 12 miles, 1014 mb. Pursuing."
Thus the sinking of the cruiser by "Pietsch"
could be accepted.
The general weather conditions were not very
favorable. Heavy showers and very changeable
visibility. As there were very few boats, it
was not intended to keep them on the surface
to use their ahti-oircraft guns.- When the
report requested from "Pietsch" had still not
been received,
1619 radio message 1603/705 was sent:
?f "Pietsch": report immediately if merchant
ships have been observed, i.e. a convoy.''
1640 Radio message 1620/704 received from U 344
(Pietsch):
"3 steamers- of the starboard • column observed,
ahead 1 destroyers on the starboard bow 1
corvette as close .escort, about 5 miles ahead
2 escort vessels. Several hydrophone bearings
in the direction of the steamers . In the
cruiser escort were a destroyer of the "V" or
"W" class, a frigate and a corvette. Several
carrier-borne planes observed rising and
descending beyond the horizon, where I therefore
presume the carrier to be. Yesterday1 s
cruiser group probably same formation."
The running of a convoy was i:hereforo certain.
It was obviously escorted by a carrier.
As no more contact was reported, the boats were
dispatched with varying courses to search along
the convoy's northeasterly route. Both boats
which put out from the ports joined group
"Trutz" .
1916 Radio message 1855/706 sent:
Group "Trutz" from Captain U-boats .
"From AB 5450 operate on following general
convoy courses: "Pietsch" 060°, "Eickstedt"
065°, "Borger" 075°, "Nees" 080°, "Lehmann"
085°. "Brunner" and "Sthamer" : join on in the
south. Reckon on convoy speed of 10 knots.
Report "flying weather"."
2140 Radio' message 1900/709 received from U 363
(Nees) : ■■
"In AB 6146 carrier-borne aircraft. Explosion
to west at moderate distance.''
-1,261-
CONFIDENTIAL
0051
1151
0629
Air reconnaissance was to bo started by
Flicgcr Fuehrer 5 at 2300.
Radio message 2545/715 sent:
Group "Trutz1' from Captain U-boats.
"1. About 2500 3 BV 138 will take off on
convoy reconnaissance. From 0100 watch
D/F wave ''Dora" .
2. Intention; to attack in accordance with
Northern Waters -Order No, 8. Reports
of all clues are important. An incomplete
radio message from "Pietsch" indicates a
more easterly convoy position. Until
results of air .reconnaissance come in, all
boats arc to advance as far as possible.
: Strive to reach. 22° E by 0600.
3. Th& considerable success of "Pietsch" is
a good beginning. Let it continue."
i
(b) Operational measures to intercept enemy
traffic;
3 boats in. Kara. Sea .attack areas. Radio
intercept reports on traffic in Pechora Sea
and the approaches to Kara Sea were passed on
to group "Greif" .
The information gained by radio reconnaissance
in Kara Sea by U 711 (Lange) (group "Kentmann")
was passed on to group. "Greif " .
Radio message 1059/794 sent:
" "Greif" from Captain U-boats.
"Lange" reports: Clos.ing.-in of heavier escort
.... forces and" livelier air patrol' presuppose
shipping traffic in the near future. Drift
ice only east of 77° E and north of 76° N."
(c) Special operations by single boats:
U 307 (Kcrrlc) on operation "Schneehuhn" .
U 957 (Schaar) on reconnaissance of the West
Siberian Sea route.
.Radio message 0544/788 received from U 307
(Herrle ) : ii
"Main task executed, still at Bear island,
request to return via Hammerfcst to stake in
. secret material and hand ov^r part equipment
'for "Schneehuhn"."
According to this report, "Hcrrlo" has the
"Schneehuhn" unit successfully . on board again.
-1,262-
CONFIDENTIAL
A landing on Bear Island does not seem to have
taken place because of the situation.
1115 Radio message 1054/795 sent:
N "Herrle" from Captain U-boats .
Return to Hammerfost - Narvik. No landing on
Bear Island.. Report passing 76° N."
1255 Short signal 1255/798 received from U 507.
(Herrle) :
"76°."
(d) Miscellaneous :
1254 Radio message 1125/772 sent:
"U 565 returning from Xp 87 to Hammerfest.
Intended to increase speed from TromsB to
Narvik."
■'■ "Wedemcyor" -had only 1. torpedo clear.
2054 Radio message 2005/707 sent:
"On 21 August U 705 (Brunncr) will put out
from TromsB and U 554 (Sthamer) from Narvik.
They will' join group "Trutz"."
V. Reports of successes:
Sinking of a cruiser by U 544 (Pictsch) is accepted.
VI. U-boat reports :
Short report from U 711(Langc), seventh operation,
see Appendix 11/ if"
C. Surface forces :
Nothing to report.
D. Survey of the situation:
2515 Teleprinter message Most Secret 4255 A Ops. sent
to Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C U-boats
Ops.:
"U-boat situation in Northern Waters at 2500 on 21
August:
"Pietsch" reported convoy at 0600 in AB 5450,
course 060°,.spocd 8 knots, also carrier-borne
aircraft. 5 hits scored, probably on cruiser of
"Dido" class, sinking accepted. Large patch of oilj
thick furnace oil, numerous pieces of wreckage.
Group "Trutz" with 5 boats and 2 operational boats
-1,265-
CONFIDENTIAL
from the northern ports was sent to operate. Air
reconnaissance is being carried out by Flieger
Fuehrer 3 with 3 BV 138. Up to now convoy not re-
intercepted."
In view of the continuous Russian attacks on the
eastern front, supplies were to be expected from
Britain, yet the new PQ convoy comes as a surprise
just now. We had no previous knowledge of its
sailing* Six of the boats at readiness in the
Northern area arc to put out on a mine laying
operation and have no torpedoes. In addition to
group "Trutz" (5 boats), 5 more boats are being
considered for operations against the convoy; of
those, U 307 is only capable of limited diving,
while U 365 (Wcdcmcycr ) has only 1 torpedo clear.
Considering the wide attack areas, wPictschH|s
meeting v/ith the convoy and the cruiser group, was
a stroke of luck which he immediately turned to
success. V/ith the help of air reconnaissance, we
must now by- pass the carrier-borne aircraft and
assemble the boats ahead of the convoy,
p.p. Eckermann.
22 August, 1944
A. ' Enemy situation:
I . Air reconnaissance ;•
Flicker Fuehrer 3:
1 He 111 on meteorological reconnaissance, route
Banak - Bear Island - Banak from 0400 to 0745.
Outward route exhaustively examined, including Bear
Island. Return route not examined because of
measurements, nothing to report.
1 BV 138 on diverging search patrol with radar,
route Billef jord - North Cape - AC 4675 - AB 3655 -
AC 4814 - Billef jord. Reconnaissance area
examined by radar as far as AB 4251, then, because
the radar set broke down, the rest of the area was
exhaustively examined by visual reconnaissance.
Nothing to report, < ■ .
1 BV 138 on diverging' search patrol, route TromsB -
AB 9193 -"AB 5195 - 5444 - 9157 - Tromso. from 2309
to 0637, exhaustively examined by radar, nothing to
report .
1 BV 138 on diverging search patrol, route Tromso -
AB 6917 - 6142 - 0394 - 6733 - 6888 - Tromso from
2316 to 0724, exhaustively examined with radar.
1 BV 138 located several vessels in AB 3819 at 0325,
now overdue.
-1,264-
CONFIDENTIAL
1 BV 138 on diverging search patrol with radar from
1451 to 1608 to intercept probable PQ, convoy. Sea
area AC 4974 - 4817 - 2744 - 1444 was to be
examined, but the operation had to be abandoned in
AC 7256 because of weather.
Flieger Fuehrer 4;
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance in the sea
area west of the Faeroes from 0456 to 1255. Faeroes
not examined because of mist.
Flieger Fuehrer 5:
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance to Jan
Mayen from 0454 to 1049. Mission abandoned at
0750 in AB 7453 because of technical difficulties.
Route 70$ examined, enemy not sighted.
II* Reports on the enemy;
(a) By U-boats :
Aircraft report from U 997 (Lehmann),
aircraft report fr.om U 363 (Nees),
aircraft report from U 394 (Borger),
aircraft report from U 703 (Brunner),
see under IV (a) .
(b) By air reconnaissance;
Tromso airfield reported at 0225 that the convoy
had been located in 15 30 East 17 (AB 3747).
Extent 10, 000. meters . :
At 0325 in 46 86 East 17 (AB'38l9)" several
vessels were located.
At 0343 in 34 59 East 17 (AB 6435) several
vessels were located.
( c ) By naval forces ; None .
(d) By. radio intercept service;
At 1710 on 21 August British unit (AY)
transmitted an urgent radio message to Horsea
for S.enior British Naval Officer, Murmansk.
18th Group; very lively flying activity (37 air-
craft). Point of concentration not identified.
From Main Naval D/F Station, Kirkenes ; at 1810
on 22 August Dikson sent a message to Belushya
via Archangel to all naval forces in Northern
Waters. At 1822 and 1837 Dikson sent a radio
message of first priority to Archangel.
At 2131 on 22 August, a radio message of first
priority was sent by Belushya to Dikson.
The following radio messages of first priority
were sent; at 0655 and 1253 from Belushya to
Dikson, at 1253 from Dikson to Archangel, at
0750 from Archangel and at 0750 and 1414 from
Dikson to all naval forces in Northern Waters.
-1,265-
CONFIDENTIAL
B,
Iokanka area: 1 minesweeper.
Gorlo Strait/Archari-el-a-rea-i 2 guardboats .
Belushya/Kara Sea area:.l guardship, 2
minesweepers and 1 ice -breaker.
Britain: no units intercepted in the Polyarno/
Archangel area.
(e) By G.I.S. stations: None.
U-boats :
III.
0100
0200
0600
2315
U-boat posit ions'^andr" alto rat- i-ons of position:
(a) Positions at 0800:
Group "Trutz":
U 344 AB 3950-}
U 668 AC 1770 ) ., . . _A
U 394 AC 4110 ) °PeratinS against PQ convoy.
U 363 AC 4150 )
U 997 AC 411(3 )
U 703 AC 4130 )
U 354 AB 9350 )
Group "Greif" :
• U 278 AT '85 )
U 362 AT 54 ) in attack areas.
U 739 AT 64 )
U 957 in Kara Sea on special operation.
In port :
U 965, 968 Hammerfest,
■U 992 Harstad,
U 636, -921, 956, 995- -Narvik,
U 387, 737 Trondheim,
U 313, 315, .716 Bergen.
(b) U-boats homeward and outward bound:
U 711 put out from Hammerfest for AC 4252.
U 425 put out .from Hars.tad for TromsB.
U 965, 968 put in to Hammerfest from TromsB.
U 922 put out from Harstad for TromsB.
U 307 on return passage from AG 75 to
• .Jlammerf est .
U 312" procre-eding from Trondheim -to Narvik.
Group "Trutz" : at Q855 occupy patrol line
from AC 1525 to 1885 in the following order:
U 344, U 668, U 394, U 363, U 997, U 705,
U 354, U 365.
Group '*Trutz" : at 1541 new order: boats Nos .
6 to 9 are U 703, U 711, U 565, U 354.
Group "Trutz": at 1918 occupy patrol line
from AC 2546 to 2785.
-1,266-
CONFIDENTIAL
IV. Current V-'ccat operations:
(a) Convoy opera-: i : ng :
PQ, 52:
7 boats to attack the PQ convoy.
Phe - onaissance organized by Luftflotte 5
sn t] 1 ; us lay was agai rdered for 22
A. : . It will be arranged with Flieger
rer 3 about noon.
0127 . Radio message 5101/715 sent:
"Carrier-borne aircraft '.: i to be particularly
strong in the ing. Report aircraft
sightings at once. Avoid unnece: - attacks."
0246 Radio r.ez£ar.e 0201/717 3d from D 54 4
(Pietsch):
"Am in 6110. Maximum speed 14*5 knots because
of blower fault . . shall I continue to
advance?"
The boat was, of course, told in the next order
to continue .
0521 bo or reports from the German Air Force
.re sent to the boats.
When the vious search courses had broug
no r , the boats led in patrol
_ne ahead of the \ course.
U 711 (Lange), which should two put
out to Kara Sea to continue the special
sration with group "Kentmarjr." , and TJ 365
(Wed: r), with only 1
torpedo j wore rise ij I 6n to the convoy.
0920 :diomes£ 3355/725 sent:
"1. Group "Trutz" : occu] 1 line fr
AC 1525 to 1335 in the following order:
"Pietsch", "Eickstedt", "Borger", "Noes",
"Lehi ', runner", "sthaffler" . Hi
cruising speed.
2. "V/edemeyer" : extend line to south.
3, Further air reconnaissance intended."
1027 Radio :-..^::.-.e 0946/725 sent:
"U 711 (Lange) put out from Hammerfest at
high sp eed to join s*roup "Trutz" as boat No.
8 in AC 4252 in patrol line."
7-^on 1100 the boats ?/ere unfortunate in
reaching the region of the escorting carrier-
borne planes .
-1,267-
CONFIDENTIAL
1107
1127
1137
1146
Short signal 1107/726 received from U 997
(Lehmann) :
"Carrier-borne aircraft.1 My position Is AC
4121."
Radio message 1119/729 received from U 997
(Lehmann) :
"Carrier-borne -plane . • 3i-plane is shadowing
us, came from a northwesterly direction."
Short signal 1157/750 received from U 363
(Noes ) :
"Carrier-borne plane (s). My position is
AC 4137."
Short signal 1146/751 received from U 997
(Lehmann) :
n
My posit ion., is -AC 4123.
H
1305
1417
1740
1649
Radio message 1154/752" received from U 394
(Borger) :
"In AC 4121 5 more "Swordfish" planes came
from the northeast."
Radio message 1541/735:
"1. New order in patrol lino as boats Nos . 6
to 9: "Brunner", "Langc", "Wedemeyer",
"Sthamor". Remain unobserved as far as
possible in the patrol line.
2.3 BV 133 are again taking off; result of
reconnais.3ixnce expected "about 1500."
The new formation was drawn up to suit the
positions of the boats learned from their
aircraft reports, so that they could all
reach the patrol line as quickly as possible.
Radio message 1656/757 received from U 594
(Borgcr) :
"True bearings on convoy radio traffic (in
future, codeword: "convoy location"): at
0850 in AB 6562 525°, at 0945 in AC 4141 525°,
at 1020 in 4145 328°, at 1500 in 4211 533°,
at 1517 in 4212 356°, at 1600 in 4221 333° "
Accordingly, the convoy was now on easterly
course, proceeding at, 10 knots*
Short signal 1645/756 received from U 705
(Brunncr ) :
"Carrior-bornc plane (s) in AC 1878."
-1,268-
CONFIDENTIAL
\
1645 Short signal 1645/755 received from U 997
( Lehmann ) s
"Am at full operational readiness. ;i
The "boat must have previously reported an
attack, but 'the message had not been received.
1827 Short signal 1827/758 received from U 705
(Br tinner ) ;
"Moderate air patrol north of AC 1881."
Compared with the convoy bearings, the positions
of the boats still lay to the south and astern.
The patrol line was therefore' moved 110 miles
east to enable the boats to gain a forward
attacking, position. At- the same time it was
narrowed to 10 miles between each boat.
1945 Radio message 1918/741 sent;
"1. Air reconnaissance abandoned because of
weather.
2. By location, convoy at 1600 in roughly AC
1450, speed 10 knots, course east.
5. Group "Trutz": occupy new patrol line from
AC 2546 to 2785, former order "Pictsch" to
"''Sthamer"'1 , high speed."
It was to be hoped that the boats would be able
to get ahead at twilight. They could reach
the now formation by 0800.
(b) Operational measures to intercept enem'r traffic:
5 boats in Kara Sea attack areas.
No reports up to now apparently because of bad
radio conditions. Radio intercept reports on
' traffic in Pechora Sea and the approaches to
Kara Sea were passed on to group ''Orclf'1 .
(c) Special operations by single boats:
U 957 (Schaar), on reconnaissance of the West
Siberian Sea route.
(d) Miscellaneous :
0410 "Flying weather1' 0409/720 received from U 565
(Necs ) :
"962 400."
Following yesterday's orders the boat reported
the "flying weather", with visibility over 9
miles, wind west, i'orce 2, cloud height 400
meters .
-1,269-
CONFIDENTIAL
V.
C.
D.
2225
No rain, completely overcast. The short
signal was passed on to the German Air
Force by radio.
In Most Secret 4249 A Ops. 1, transfer
order for U 995 (Xbhntopp) v/as sent;
"l. Put out from Narvik for TromsB on the
afternoon of 23 August.
2. Make fast at Mining and Barrage Command
(on the morning of 24 August at the
latest) with harbor pilot. Request pilot
from Harbor Master •
3. After taking in mines, proceed; further in
accordance with Operational 'Order No. 16
to Hammerfest escorted by 2nd Inshore
Defenses Unit.
2nd Inshore Defenses Unit is informed.
Commander . v/i 11 arrange sailing time with
2nd Inshore Defenses Unit. Other escorts
are to be fully used.
"4. As • far as Harstad frequency "MC" from
Harstad radio frequency "Anton I" under
Series No. 600. Northern Waters very
long wave .from Narvik.
5. Report sailing from TromsB promptly on
"Anton I".11
Reports of successes: None...
Surface forces:
Nothing to report.
Survey of the situation:
Most Secret 4271 A Ops, sent to Naval War Staff,
Second Division, C-in-C- .U-boats Ops.:
"U-boat situation in Northern Waters at 2200 on
22 August:
Convoy located by air reconnaissance at 0225 in
A3 3770, also escorting. carrier or escort groups
about 0330 in AB 5819 and AB (3435. Not intercepted
by U-boats. These were ordered to a patrol line
northeast of Bear Island. Between 1100 and 1200
they reported carrier-borne "Swordfish" aircraft
in AC 41 and between 1700 and 1900 in AC 18. From
bearings taken on radio traffic, convoy was in
approximately AC 14 at 1600. New air reconnais-
sance abandoned by Fliegor Fuehrer 3 because of
weather. Group "Trutz", consisting of 9 boats,
was moved to a narrow patrol line ahead of the
supposed convoy course. New air reconnaissance
requested for 23 August."
-1,270-
CONFIDENTIAL
From the strong forces of carrier-borne planes
operating at noon it seems very doubtful, whether
the boats will gain a forward position to attack.
Experience of the convoys has shown that usually
only unobserved operations by -many boats assembled
in a forward -position lead to success against the
core of tlie convoy; "while shadowing and hauling
ahead result only in action against the escort.
As the convoy has .a high speed of 10 knots, too
much time would be lost by endeavoring to let the
boats haul ahead Independently and then only some
of them would arrive in position, even If they
were not intercepted prematurely in the limited
sea area by enemy air escorts.
Re II (d) ;
"The striking radio traffic in the Kara Sea area
continues and presumably indicates activity of group
"Greif11."
p.p. Eckermann.
23 August, 1944
A. Enemy situation; ' - '
I. Air reconnaissance;
Flieger Fuehrer 3 s
2 BV 138 on diverging search patrol with radar in
the sea area AC 4844 - AB 6873 - AC 1544 - AB'.:2688.
Took off at 1604 on 22 August. Both aircraft
overdue, whereabouts unknown,
Fliegor Fuehrer 4:
1 Ju 188 on meteorological reconnaissance in the
area west of the Faeroes from 0425 to 1113.
Faeroes covered by mist, enemy not sighted.
Flieger Fuehrer 5;
1 Ho 111 on meteorological reconnaissance to Jan
Mayen from 0438 to 1227. Route 50$, Jan Maycn
20% examined, enemy not sighted.
When 3 BV 158 were overdue from reconnaissance
against this convoy,
teleprinter message Most Secret 7088/44 was received
from Luftf lotto 5:
11 1. Daylight reconnaissance against the convoy is,
with immediate effect, no longer to be carried
-1,271-
CONFIDENTIAL
out because of losses which we cannot afford*
•
2. La3t reconnaissance against the convoy by
3V 138 with radar set 200 will be- flown only
in the hours of darkness from 23 to 24 August
•1944/' - - ■■
II. Reports, on the enemy;
(a) By U-boats :
Carrier reports from U 354 (Sthamcr),
aircraft report from U 668 (Eickstedt)^
aircraft report from U 363 (Nees),
convoy report from U 394 (Borger),
destroyer report from U 703 (Brunner),
aircraft roport from U 703 (Brunner),
cruiser and destroyer report from U 711 (Lange),
aircraft report from U 997 (Lehmann),
aircraft report from U 711 (Lange),
aircraft report from U 365 (Wedemeyer),
sec under IV (a) •
( b ) By air reconnaissance : None .
(c) By naval forces: None.
(d) By radio intercept service:
Prom 1135 on 22 August to 0327, on 23 August
numerous radio transmissions of first
priority from Belushya to Dikson, Dikson to
Belushya and Archangel, Archangel and Dikson
to naval forces in Northern Waters and mine-
sweeper No. 112. Prom 1105 on 22 August to
0310 on 23 August British radio traffic
presumably between aircraft carrier and
carrier- borne planes (20 aircraft -nicked up in
the traffic) of the" British fleet formation
in Northern Waters .
Svanvik obtained bearings from 1053 to 1816
on 22 August -'of 033° - 342°. Prom 1124 to ..
1202 BodB obtained bearings of 003° - 0150.
Pummanki .area: 2 guards hips, 1 minesweeper.
G-orlo Strait/Archangel area: 2 guardboats,
1 motor minesweeper. , ■
Belushya/Kara Sea area: 2 minesweepers, 1
ice-breaker.
Dikson area: 1 guardship.
18th Group: lively flying activity (27 air-
craft) .
At 0834 on 23 August, British unit was
located in approximately AB 9160.
(The bearing agrees roughly with tho position
of the carrier group according to dead
reckoning. )
At 1805 carrier was located by Kirkcncs in
009°.
(c) By G.I.S. stations: None.
-1,272-
CONFIDENTIAL
Be
III.
OlOO
0649
0520
1345
IV.
0030
U-boats :
"-boat -positions and alterations of oosition:
(a) Positions at 0800;
Group "Trutz" :
U 344
AC
2345 )
U 668
AC
1910 )
U 394
AC
2744 )
U 363
AC
1590 )
U 997
AC
1980 )
U 703
AC
2770 )
U 711
AC
2729 )
U 365
AC
2759 )
U 354
AC
6927 )
Group
"Greif" :
operating against PQ, convoy
U 278 AT 85 )
U 362 AT 54 ) in Kara Sea attack areas.
U 739 AT 64 )
U 957 Kara Sea on special operation.
in port :
V 307, 965, 968 Hammerfest,
U 992 Tromso,
U 636, 921, 956, 995 Narvik,
U 387, 737 Trondheim, .
U 313, 315, 716 Bergen.
(b) J-boats hcrr.ev/ard and outward bound;
U 425 put out from TromsB, at 1600 put in to
Hammerfest .
U 992 put in to TromsB from Harstad.
U 307 put in to Hammerfest from AC- 75.
U 995 put out from: Narvik, at 1910 put
in to Harstad, at 2300 put out from Harstad
for TromsB.
U 312 on open water passage from Trondheim
to Narvik.
Current U-boat operations :
(a) Convoy operations;
PQ, 32;
9 boats operating on PQ, convoy.
Short signal 0005/747 received from U 354
(Sthamer j s
MAt 1700 in AB 9353 2 enemy aircraft carriers."
That square is north of Alta, 80 miles from the
-1,273-
CONFIDENTIAL
0121
0122
0255
0053
0514
0618
coast. It is obviously a formation to
attack the "Tirpitz". '"'Sthamer" came upon
it by chance after putting out.
As the time of origin of the carrier report
was 7 hours earlier,
radio message 0121/751 was sent:
11 "Sthamer" : report immediately when, where
and on what course carriers last observed.
Maku full operational use of opportunities
to attack."
Radio message 1714/750 from U 354 (Sthamer):
''Carrier group in AB 9333: 2 aircraft
carriers, 1 heavy cruiser, 1 destroyer, 2
escort vessels. Southerly courses. Speed
16 knots: 1 T 3 F.A_.T. 2 torpedo fired at
auxiliary aircraft carrier, explosion after
21 seconds. Cloud amidships and slight list
to starboard observed. 1 T 5 torpedo. at
same carrier, explosion after 5-7 minutes.
No depth charges."
Radio message 0100/755 received from U 354
(Sthamer) :
"At 2330 in AB 9330 1 escort vessel made off
from the place of torpedoing to the west. At
0045 at the place of torpedoing large oil
patch, drifting rub'b'cr dinghies- -(empty) ,
very many drifting tin cans and other pieces
of equipment. Pursuing."
So the sinking of the auxiliary carrier could
be accepted with certainty.
A probable radio bearing obtained by air
reconnaissance was sent to the boats."
Radio message 0057/748 sent:
"Air reconnaissance presumes van of convoy to
bo -in AC 1490 at 2000."
During the morning the boats closing in on
the convoy from the south observed carrier-
borne aircraft.
Short signal 0515/757 received from U 668
(Eickstcdt ) :
"Am being attacked by aircraft. My position
is AC 1839."
Radio message 0557/761 received from "Noes":
"In AC 1594 strong forces of aircraft. Since
0000 continually forced to submerge."
-1,274-
CONFIDENTIAL
0344 Radio message 0255/758 received from U 394
(Borger) :
"Wide hydrophone bearing, 010°, presumably
convoy in AC 1923."
0600 Radio message 0546/760 sent:
"Group "Trutz": narrow' patrol line to northeast,
6 miles between each boat. Remain unobserved.
Convoy will pass about 0900, thereafter reckon
on speed of 10 knots.''
Thus the patrol. line was more closely drawn up
ahead of the convoy course so that the greatest
number of boats could attack as the convoy
passed.
0725 Short signal 0725/762 received from U 394
(Borger) i
"Convoy in AC 1936, southeasterly course, slow
speed. Convoy has strong air escort."
Then
0759 radio message 0759/765 .was . sent.:.
"Group "Trutz" : forward to the convoy in AC
1936, attack, shadow- and report."
0907 Radio message 0812/765 received from U 354
(Sthamer ) :
"in 6927 no sign of -carrier group. Operating
on convoy. Lnd southsoutheast, force 3, sea 2,
overcast, visibility 8-10 miles."
"Sthamer" had thus lost contact after sinking
the auxiliary carrier.
1114 Radio mess ego 1024/768 received., from "Brunnor":
"In AC 2771 at 0618 smoke float- from carrier-
borne plane where we submerged. At 0705 2
destroyers, 2 frigates, stopping engines then
picking up (speed only up to 5 knots) ,
continually curving, no depth charges, presume
a search group chasing us."
The destroyers have become very cautious in
the vicinity of the U-boats because of the
"ZaunkBnig" torpedoes.
1156 Short signal 1124/771 received from U 365
(Noes) :
"Carrier-borne piano (s) in AC 2747."
-1,275-
CONFIDENTIAL
1247 Short signal 1247/722 received from U 703
(Br tinner ) :
"Carrier-borne plane(s) in AC 2776."
1329 Radio message 1216/774 received from
3orger " :
"Forced back by aircraft. Shadower 30on
called up several pianos. to attack the
U-boats. According to aircraft sightings,
convoy course 120°. I am hauling ahead
outside the range of the planes."
The convoy appears to be steering a south-
t< easterly course. Towards evening, according
to our experience, the course will be altered
to south.
1318 Radio message 1002/773 received from U 711
( Lange ) :
"At 0739 in AC 2729 1 heavy cruiser or
battleship, 8 destroyers of "Churchill"
class, course 140°, speed 12 knots. F.A.T.
fan-of-two on heavy unit: explosion, possible
hit. Fired T 5 torpedo at sinking "Churchill"
class destroyer, observed sinking. "Catalina1'
and "Swordfish'"' ."
1338 Short signal 1558/775 received from U 997
( Lohmann ) :
"Carrier-lporne plane in AC 1998."
1437 Radio message 1421/776 sent:
"Group "Trutz" from Captain U-boats.
Northerly boats' should advance in the north,
boats lying far behind should haul ahead to
the south beyond' the range . of planes. Report
contact so that aircraft and U-boats can pick
up the report. Freedom of attack grantod
against carriers."
In this way the anti-submarine forces would
be split up and wo could try to bring the
boats up ahead for attacks in spite of tho
strong enemy air activity. .In view of the
small number of boat3 and tho obviously large
force of .enemy aircraft, the boats were not
ordered to remain on the surface to attack
aircraft.
1520 Short signal 1520/777 rocoived from U 394
(Borgcr) :
"Uncertain bearing on convoy radio wave of
184°. My position is exactly AC 2812 at 1330."
-1,276-
CONFIDENTIAL
1652 Short signal 1652/779 received from U 363
(Nees ) :
"Carrier-borne plane(s) in AC 5127."
1732 Short signal 1752/780 received from U 394
(Borger ) :
"Bearing on convoy radio wave of 205°. My
position is roughly AC 2836. 1615."
1823 Short signal 1818/782 received from U 711
(Lange) :
"Carrier-borne aircraft. My position is AC
• 2891."
The splendid reports from "Borger" provide
good clues to the convoy's position.
1833 Radio message lSOS/785 sent:
"Convoy confirmed in AC' 2380 at 1600, course
120°; reckon on alteration to southerly
courses towards evening. Southerly boats:
haul ahead to the 'south approximately on the
35th meridian."
Thus the boats were given a. clue to enable
them to haul ahead out of range of the constant
air patrols .
1917 Short signal 1908/784 received from U 365
(Wedemoycr) :
"Carrier-borne plane (s). My position is AC
5106." '
(The grid square details are inexact because
of corrupt reception.)
1926 Short signal 1912/786 received from U 363
(Noes ) :
■
"Carrier-borne plane (s J. My position is AC
5143 . "
1944 Radio message 1955/787 received from U 394
(Borger) :
"Convoy heard and inexact bearing of 215°
taken on convoy radio v/ave. My position is
exactly AC 2956 at 1845."
A location report transmitted by Luftflotte 5
was passed on to the boats.
1930 Radio message 1905/785 sent:
"Carrier located from 1430 to 1700 in AC 5180
to 90."
-1,277-
CONFIDENTIAL
2000 A German Air Force offer of air reconnaissance
for the corning night was turned down as it
would not contribute effectively to this
operation and the risk to the aircraft would
be too great. Moreover, the Gorman Air
Force had made their offer very grudgingly,
as during the time in question the convoy
waa already within range of Russian land-
based planes .
2122 Short signal 1652/788 from U 997 (Lehmann):
"Several smoke clouds in sight in AC 5427.
Carrier-borne aircraft."
Probably it is the carrier formation..
2159 Radio message 2115/789 sent:
"Group "Trutz"' from Captain U-boats.
1. Intention? to attack convoy as far as
72° N. Make use of twilight to haul
ahead. Boats should -steer to AC 5860
without contact and then improve their
position in respect of the convoy from
the reports. We must still achiove
success ,
2. Further intention: to return along the
convoy route via position lines."
2245 Radio message 2245/791 received from U 394
(Borgcr ) :
"Convoy heard and exact bearing of 218° taken
on convoy radio wav . My position was exactly
AC 29G8 at 2000, course 231°. My position
was exactly AC 3788 at 2215.''
2309 Short signal 2509/792- received from U 394
(Borgcr) c
"Convoy hoard and exact bearing of 228°
taken on convoy radio wave. My position is
exactly AC 6123 at 2245."
(b) Operational measures to intercept enemy
traffic;
3 boats in Kara Sea attack areas. No reports
received.
Radio intercept reports on traffic in Pechora
Sea and the approaches to Kara 3ea wero
passed on to group "Greif".
(c ) Special operations by single boats:
U 957 (Schaar) on reconnaissance of the West
Siberian Sea rout .
-1,278-
CONFIDENTIAL
1139
V.
1025
1550
C,
D.
2255
(d) Miscellaneous .'
Radio message 1058/769 received' from C-in-C
Navy and C-in-C U-boats:
" "Pietsch" and "Sthamer": well done. Carry
on, group "Trutz". "•
Reports of successes:
Auxiliary aircraft carrier sunk by U 354 (Sthamer)
and a destroyer by U 711 (Lange). The latter also
torpedoed a heavy unit.
On the sinking of the auxiliary carrier,
radio message 0954/766 was sent:
" "Sthamer": report, if suitable opportunity
arises, if F.A.T.. fans or single shots were fired,
also whether there- .were .sinking, noises and further
clues to indicate sinking."
In reply,
radio message 1400/778 was -received from U 354
(Sthamer) :
"F..A.T. single shots. No sinking noises heard, as
multi-unit hydrophones were temporarily out of
order. Escort vessels at torpedoing position for
6 hours, no depth charge pursuit."
The long stay of the escort vessels at the
torpedoing position without any depth charge
pursuit seemed further to confirm the sinking of
the carrier.
Surface forces :
Nothing to report.
Survey of the situation:
Teleprinter message Most Secret 4313 sent to Naval
War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C U-boats Ops.:
"U-boat situation in Northern Waters at 2200 on
23 August: ■
Convoy intercepted .by . a U-boat;. at 0725 in AC 1936,
course southeast. Group "Trutz." (9 boats) sot on it,
tried to haul ahead beyond the range of strong
forces of air escort. U 354 (Sthamer): 2 hits on
auxiliary carrier in AB 9333, sinking probable, as
no pursuit followed and escort vessels remained at
the torpedoing position for 6 hours, empty rubber
dinghies drifting around, wreckage and giant
patches of oil. U 711 (Lange) heard a hit on heavy
unit- in AC 2729, also sank 1 "Churchill" destroyer.
Intention: to pursue the convoy as far as 72° N,
-1,279-
CONFIDENTIAL
then return along convoy- route via position
lines ."
Re IV (a) : ■
"According to reports, the boats lie on both
sides of the convoy over 70 -miles from it, and
owing to the strong escorting forces of carrier-
borne aircraft, they have obviously not reached a
forward position to attack the actual convoy.
It is evident, as was the case with previous
convoys this year, that with such a strong air
escort it is useless to haul ahead with our
present gunnery equipment. Even the 3»7 cm. gun,
fired without any complications such a3 jamming,
is insufficient against the great number of
planes immediately summoned by the first sighting
aircraft. In this kind of convoy attack, we
can expect a few successes against the escort
and lucky shots on larger units, but at the same
time U-boat losses must be accepted. Only a
formation assembled unobserved- ahead of the convoy
promises success against the actual transports.
For this purpose, however, an offensive air
reconnaissance is necessary."
ptp, Eckermarm.
24 August, 1944.
A. Enemy situation;
Ia Air reconnaissance;
Flicker Fuehrer 5 :
2 3F 109 on photographic and visual reconnaissance
of Kola Bay and Murmansk railway station from
1742 bo- 1755. Abandoned because of undercarriage
trouble .
2 BF 109 on visual reconnaissance of Kola Bay
and Murmansk railway station. In Kola Bay, from
Murmansk to Vaenga about 20 medium and small
merchant ships $ also 15 fairly largo shipping
units. Typo not identified because of mist.
South of Murmansk harbor 12 small vessels.
Reconnaissance was very difficult because of
heavy mist and in parts, thick ground fog.
Flicgcr Fuehrer 4;
1 Ju 138 on meteorological reconnaissance in tho
area west of the Faeroes from 0405 to 1125,
Faeroes covered by mist, enemy not sighted.
-1,280-
CONFIDENTIAL
Flieger Fuehrer 5:
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance to Jan
Mayen from 0500 to 1212. Route 30$, Jan Ma yen
area 10$ examined, enemy not sighted.
II. Reports on the enemy:
(a) By U-boats :
Aircraft report from U 354 (Sthamer),
aircraft report from. U 363 (Nees),
destroyer report from U 365 (Wedemeyer) ,
aircraft report from U 365 (Wedemeyer),
aircraft report from U 711 (Lange),
aircraft report from U 703 (Brunner),
destroyer report from U 363 (Nees),
destroyer report from U 703 (Brunner).
(b) By air reconnaissance: None.
(c) By naval forces : None.
(d) By radio intercept services
4 U.S. warships were to put out from the Firth
of Forth on the evening of 23 August.
18th Group: lively flying activity (31 air-
craft) .
On 23 August continuous British radio traffic
_ „ from carriers belonging to a fleet formation
in Northern Waters'.
On the evening of 23 August, British units "AM"
and "KE 4" were in radio communication with
Polyarno.
Iokanka area: 2 guards hips and 1 minesweeper.
Gorlo Strait/Archangel area: 2 guardships, 9
minesweepers and 4 guardboats •
Belushya/Kara Sea area: 1 minesweeper and 1
ice-breaker.
Dikson area: 1 guards hip.
Very many radio messages' of first priority from
and to Dikson, some of which were transmitted to
"all forces in Northern Waters" by Archangel
and Iokanka.
Russian radio traffic: lively, mostly very
urgent or of first priority, mainly to and
from Belushya, Kara Sea and Dikson.
( e ) By G.I .S. stations : None ,
B. • U-boats:
III. - U-boat positions and alterations of position:
(a) Positions at 0800: ,
Group "Trutz":
-1,281-
CONFIDENTIAL
0300
0730
0900
2200
1500
1500
IV.
0003
U 344
AC
53 )
U 668
AC
51 )
U 394
AC
6280 )
U 363
AC
5430 )
U 997
AC
5420 )
U '703
AC
5370 )
U 711
AC
6430 )
U 365
AC
5810 )
U 354
AC
5730 )
Group
"GreifN:
operating against PQ; convoy .
U 278 AT 35 )
U 362 AT 54 ) in Kara.. Sea attack areas.
U 739 AT 64 )
U 957 Kara Sea on special operation.
In port:
U 307, '425 , 965, 968 Hammerfest,
U 312, 656, 921, 956 Narvik,
U 387,- 737 Trondheim,
U 313, 315, 716 Bergen.
(b) U-boats homeward and outward bound;
U 312 put in to Narvik from Trondheim,
U 992 put out from TromsB, at 1840 put in
to Hammer f est .
U 995 put in to TromsB from Karstad.
U 507 put out from Hammerfest to Narvik.
U 565 on return passage from AC 5490 to
Andf jord - Narvik.
U 711 on return passage from AC 6430 to
Hammerfest.
Group "Trutz,! : at 1500 proceed to position
line 1, at 1000 on 25 August from AC 6167
to 5.567. Order: U 394, U 354, U 703,
U 363, U 997, U 344, and U 668.
Current U-boat, operations ;
(a) Convoy operations:
PQ, 52:
9 boats to attack the PQ, convoy. .. location
' report passed by telephone by Flieger Fuehrer
5 was transmitted to the boats .
Radio message 0005/794 3ent;
"Carriers locatod at 2100 in AC 5840, at
2250 in AC 5850."
The boats to the west of the convoy were not
going to reach it because of tho strong
forces of carrier-borne planes.
-1,282-
CONFIDENTIAL
0020 Short signal 0020/795 received from U 354
(Sthamer ) i
"Carrier-borne plane(s) in AC 5720. "
0109 Short signal 0109/701 received from U 363
(Nees ) ;
"Carrier-borne plane (s) in AC 5444."
0147 Short signal 0146/797 received from U 365
(Wedemeyer ) :
"1 destroyer in AC 5548."
0154 Short signal 0155/798 received from U 365
(Wedemeyer) t
"Course southwest, high speed."
0246 Short signal 0246/800 received from U 365
(Wedemeyer) i
"Carrier-borne plane (s) in AC 5551."
At 0500 the convoy was lying about 80 miles
east of that square.
0319 Radio message 0158/799 received from U 394
(Borger) s
"Convoy locations from 3 radio sources, one of
which is the operational leader of the carrier-
borne planes. Distance of the units from me
according to signal strength and facility of
location is considerably less than 100 miles.
Course 238°, 6251."
0421 Short signal 0418/702 received from U 711
(Lange ) :
"Carrier-borne plane(s) in AC 6438."
Thus the boats to the cast 7/cre also" sub jected
to patrolling aircraft.
0459 Radio message 0320/705 received from U 703
(Brunncr) :
"From AC 5111 to 5486 continually forced to
submerge by carrier-borne aircraft and
"Catalina" (also some "Swordfish" and probable
"Corsairs")."
Convoy about 120 miles to the east.
Apparent screen of carrier-borne aircraft to
the west.
Only "Borger" and "Lange" lie to the east.
-1,283-
CONFIDENTIAL
0552 • Short signal 0525/704 received from U 363
(Nees ) :
"2 destroyers in AC 5459."
Over 100 miles west of the convoy.
1103 Radio me s s ar 13/706 received from U 363
(Nees ) :
"At 0309 in AC 5491 from a search group of 4
destroyers, cours 30°, sank 2 destroyers.
. T 5 torpedo was used in each case,
explosion after 615 and 720 seconds. At 0643
1 T 5 torpedo fired at third destroyer,
missed because of gro und- runner .
At 0651 fired 1 T 5 torpedo and missed the
fourth destroyer, which was picking up
survivors .
Assumption: miss due to exploding depth
charges. int sinking noises, deterrent
depth charges, no pursuit. 1 T 5, 5 T 3
torpedoes. est, force 2, sea 1, 1012
mb. visibility 12 miles/
1124 Short signal 1115/707 received from U 703
(Brunner) :
"Carrier-borne planes in AC 5879."
A carrier ""tearing from" the "German Air Force
was passed on to group "Trutz".
1239 Radio message. 1209/715 sent:
"Aircraft carrier at 0630 in AC 5940, at 0900
in AC 5964, presumably easterly course.
Located from radio traffic."
1318 ' Short signal 1510/717" received from U 703
(Brunner) :
"2 land-based planes. y position is AC 5885."
The continually increasing air strength,
which has been raised even further by the
arrival of land-based aircraft now makes
continuation of the operation useless.
1156 . Radio m 1039/709 sent:
"1. "Langc": return to Hammerfest to refuel;
put out again in accordance with
Operational Order No. 16. .odemoyor" :
return to Andf jord/Narvik.
2. Group "T rut z" ; .w submerged.
Proceed via position lino 1: at 1000 on
25 August, AC 6176 to 5567 and lino II:
at 1400 on 26 ^ugust AC 2472 to 1991 to
line III: at 2000 on 27 August AB 3564 to
-1,284-
:~:di: -;:.-.:
r: ." . p", "Brunner",
MN« , :tedt".
ithout
increa speed.1'
In a _ r-borne planes ,
the boats had considerable trouble from
=: .
1135 RaZi: ... gsj - . . " . "" . 5 received from U 365
"1 i to ; -"ge b stroyers and a
carrier-borne pli :h re I AC 5493
at De .0.
Destroy^ aie off or. course 240°."
58 Shcr-w si— -£.1 1117/772 received from U 703
v Bi urn ier) :
"1 cl course In
AC 5668. ""
2030 Radio mess a: :- ll^l, ::.: received frc
"' Z-rv,;".:".: _•" :
Destr st to sight i AC 597.',
course 100°, -ed."
2350 '.aii: ;:.r5i ~- - • -153/725 received frc
"1: ■'.■-. ■-. . -■" I
"At 212 red flares in approximately .-.Z
5948. ig for survivors."
The app _ieve that there is
a . or to be picked up.
(b) Op-ricisnal ::-:s;v:'. i • intercept er.c:.."
traffic:
Kara Sea attack areas. Radio
atercept - rts on traffic in Pechora
Sea and the approa. to Kara Sea were
passed on to group "G-reif
121- Raj.:. :.._. :..; -::_ 11 1 1/71C t !
Lffl ... -boats .
No : ..v i ci: August. Russian]
radic brushes wi-
the . If t] is strong air
opposition, withdraw from the vicinity of
coast, ossible on the shi: :v.c •'
1220 ■..-: .-.:..- 11. , 711 sent:
" if" frc aptain U-boats,
rom 22 to 2 .. ;gust, striking increase in
-1,235-
CONFIDENTIAL
Russian radio traffic in the Kara Soa aroa.
Radio messages of first priority were sont
by each of the following": Bolushya - 14,
Dikson -• 16, Khabarova and Jclaniya - 1 oach."
(c) Special operations by single boats;
U 957 (Schaar ) ' oh reconnaissance of the West
Siberian Soa route.
19-42-- Tc-le-pr-inter -rr.es saf oivo'd from Dr. 'Do go:
" "Haudcgqn" ready to put out."
U 354 was the intended escort for this
operation and had already taken part of the
equipment on board, when it was necessary
to send the boat to operate against the
convoy, still carrying the gear.
V. Reports of successes:
— — ^k- I i . ■ i — — m. ■ ii i .i m i i ■
The sinking of 2 destroyers by U 363 (Nees) is
accepted.
C • Surface forces:
Carrier-borne aircraft penetrated to the Alta
area and from 1600 to 1633 attacked the "Tirpitz"
in two waves .
D. Plans :
2259 Teleprinter message Host Secret 10467 A 1 received
from Naval Chief Command, Norway by Naval War
Staff ,• Second Division, C-in-C U-boat3 Ops.:
"C-in-C German Air Force- "intends to set up
meteorological radio stations on Hope Island,
Bear Island and South Point,- -SpirtslDergen with
4 men for the first operation and two in oach of
the others, each expedition with 6*5 to 8«5 ton3
of equipment. Transfer intended by U-boat and
^ allocation of U-boat for Hope .Island, (sailing
date from TromsB 20 September) and of a further
boat for Bear Island and South Spitsbergen,
(sailing date 27 September) requested." ■
E. Survey of the situation:
2225 Teleprinter message Most Secret 4326 A Ops. sent
to Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C
U-boat3 Ops • :
"U-boat situation in Northern Waters at 2200 on
- 24 August:
U-boats wore kept off the convoy by carriers and
destroyer groups, while* it probably hauled off to
the east. U 363 (Noes) sank 2 destroyors from a
-1,286-
CONFIDENTIAL
search group of four and missed the other two.
Operation abandoned at noon, as boats had no hope
of -reaching the convoy because of the increased
strength of air opposition. Returning via
position lines on convoy route."
p.p. Eckermann.
25 August, 1944.
A . Enemy situation :
I . Air reconnaissance:
Flicker Fuehrer 5:
No sea reconnaissance.
Flieger Fuehrer 4:
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance . in the sea
area west of the Faeroes from 0458 to 1232.
Northern part of Faeroes examined, enemy not sighted.
Flieser Fuehrer 5:
i i < i . « ■ til.
1 He 111 on meteorological reconnaissance to Jan
Mayen from 0509 to 1210. Route 50$ examined, Jan
Mayen area not examined because low-lying closed-
in cloud cover, enemy not sighted.
II • Reports on the enemy:
(a) By U-boats :
Destroyer report from U 711 (Lange),
' destroyer report from U 997 (Lchmann),
destroyer report from U 703 (Brunner),
submarine report from U 365 (Wedcmeyer ) ,
destroyer report from U 668 (Eickstcdt).
■ i-
( b ) By air reconnaissance : None .
(c) By naval forces: None.
(d) By radio intercept service:
18th Group: lively flying activity (28 air-
craft) over the northern North Sea*
From 1909 on 24 August to 0521 on 25 August
radio messages of first priority between Diks on
- Belushya - Archangel.
-1,287-
CONFIDENTIAL
Murmansk a:re-a:- f-1-otilla -lca-dcr "Baku'1.
Iokanka area: 3 guardships, 2 minesweepers.
Gorlo Strait/Archangol area: destroyers
"Uritski", WKM, 2 guardships, 5 minesweepers
and 2 BO-boats , also 4 guardboats and 1 Ice-
breaker.
Russian radio traffic: considerable, at
times lively, at times very urgent.
Britain: increased' Polyarno, "no Archangel
broadcasts .
(e) By G.I.S. stations: None.
B. U-boats :
III. U-boat positions and alterations of position:
(a) Positions at 0800:
Group "Trutz" ;
U 344 AC 5610
U 668 AC 7330
U 394 AC 6190
U 363 AC 5670
U 997 AC 5690
U 703 AC 5660
U 354 AC 6440
operating against PQ, convoy.
Grouo 5'C-reifu:
U 278 AT 85 )
U 362 AT 54 ) in attack areas..
U 739 AT 64 )
U 957 east of Dikson.
In port :
U 425, 965, 963, 9-92 Hammerfest,
U 995 TromsB,
U 312, 636, 921, 956 Narvik,
U 387, 737 Trondheim,
U 313, 315, 716 Bergen.
(b) U-boats homeward and outward bound:
1400 U 636 put out from Narvik, at 1930 put in to
Harstad, at 2400 put out ' for TromsB.
2200 U 365 put in'' to Hammerfest from AC 58.
2215 U 307 put in to Narvik from Hammerfest.
U 711 on return passage from AC 6430 to
Hammerfest .
IV. Current U-boat operations ;
(a) Convoy-, operations':
PQ, 52:
-1,288-
riAL
0125 Radio ... § - r/730 rec 1 from "Brft ':
"Red sta: a from "1 " .
All 12 well."
pare lestroyers w.ere still op _ng on
our boats astern of t]
0154 Shrr- sj ..-.:"- : l-.-:; "32 recei Dm U 711
(I:.. . : ) :
"id. p in .-. 7 5856 to the southeast."
0151 Rai:: :.::.- \ - 3101/77 7 tved from U 997
{Li'.\. :.:erj :
"rtrr. in AC 54 . S ) on 24 August,
rged . zrour . F.A.T.
fan-of-twc ate. Porpedo-runne
I 5 torpedo fii at"" deist! id fri
eort V- 1 mar. rei in the position for 1
ur after the at :, then depi jes.
Ju-c lessor out of order."
0339 Short sier.:.! _:: : '~cd received from U 703
5 runner) :
"Destroyer in ~C 5948."
0432 Riii: ics;:.:: 340S I . i from U 703
(Brunne-r ) :
"At 02 trcyor in AG* 5973 made off to the
south at high speed."
0519 ?.:.iio :.:. : ; ..; 0439/73/; rec. .1 from U 711
(L-: r.r.z ) :
"At _ AC 5859 fi] lie torpedo, missed
a dest: . r, s. I hit with second T 5 after
jiutes 20 se '.s . Si lg noises, no
og . "
1205 : : _ . . . ; : • . 1105 J '--' received from 1
Radic 5t tion, SortE:
"Group "Trutz":
C-in-C vy and C-in-C U-boats m ;: I Lcc
in your successes."
The boats, whic . )t reported lately, were
sted to send their positions.
1213 R:.e-.i: . - .j :'-'-' [Z sent:
" "Pietsch", "3ie It", "S ': report
position."
-1,269-
CONFIDENTIAL
1703
1855
0135
0222
1108
Radio message 1413/748 received from U 668
(Eickstedt) :
"At 0200 on-24 August in AC -5574, 2 T 5
torpedoes fired, missed destroyers belonging
to search group reported by "Brunner".
Presume "Koblenz" and "Trier". Explosions
after 205 and 95 seconds. No sinking noises.
Hits possible on other units of group. Then
depth charge pursuit for 24 hours. All clear
except for 8 torpedoes . Operational
readiness not quite certain. On surfacing
after great effort, observed destroyer in
7565, apparently the same one- as in radio
message 7:S'6.* Made off to the coast. In
5784 and 73G1 this forenoon, 2 indistinct
boats, course west, probably M.T.B.s. Am in
7362. Query: shall I proceed to position
line II?"
Radio message 1847/749 sent:
"Eickstedt" from Captain U-boats.
"Proceed via position line II."
(b) Operational measures to intercept enemy
traffic :
3 boats in Kara Sea attaok areas. No reports.
Radio intercept reports on traffic in Pechora
Sea and the approaches1 to Kara Sea wore
passed on to group "Greif".
(c ) Special operations by single boats:
U 957 (Schaar) on reconnaissance of the West
Siberian Sea route.
(d) Miscellaneous :
Radio message 0005/751 received from U 365
(Wedemcyer) Y
"Request permission to return via Hammerfest
to fetch equipment arid secret, material, which
were given up there bocauso of shallows
operation: shall reach "SR 1" if permitted. at
160C."
Radio mess arc 0205/754 sent:
"Wedemcyer" from Captain U-boats.
"Granted."
Radio muss 1008/740 received from U 365
(Wedemcyer) :
"In AC 7231 submarine, presumably enemy."
-1,290-
confide:" ial
That square is about 50 milos northeast of the
Hamincrfest approaches.
1145 Radio message 1152/741 sent:
*
" "Wedemeyer": proceed in accordance with
Northern -Waters Directions No. 31."
In Most' Secret 4330 A Ops. transfer order for
U 636 (Schendel) was sent.
"1. Put out from Narvik at 1400 on 25 August.
2. Proceed through Tjeld3und via Harstad with
pilot to Troms'6. Sailing times from Narvik
and Harstad to be sent by time short signal
on "MC" .
3. With harbor pilot make fast at Mining and
Barrage Command, TromsB to take in mines.
(Request pilot from the naval officer in
charge . )
4. When the mines are en board, proceed to
ammerf.est escorted by 2nd Inshore Defenses
Unit. Boat is expected by 2nd Inshore
Defenses Unit. Commander will arrange
sailing time with 2nd- Inshore Defenses
Unit. Current escorts are to be fully
us e d .
5. Report time of sailing from TromsB.
6. As far as Harstad use Base frequency "MC" ,
from Harstad to Hammerfest frequency
"Anton- 1". - Switch- to -Northern Waters very
long wave from Narvik onwards."
V. Reports of successes;
Sinking of a destroyer by U 711- -(Lange) .
One hit scored by U 997 (Lehmann) on a destroyer
and one on a frigate.
2 further hits possible by U 668.
C. Surface forces: Nothing to report.
D. Plans :
1020 Teleprinter message Most Secret S.O.s only 115 A
Ops . 2nd issue sent to Naval War Staff, Second
Division, C-in-C U-boats Ops.:-
"Reference Captain U-boats, Norway Most Secret
S.O.s only 115 A Ops. of 9 August:
As U 965 is unserviceable, operation "Hering"
will be undertaken by U 995 (KBhntoryo) and
"Forelle" by U 636 (Sche-ndel) .• All boats
provisionally ready to sail from Hammerfest on
29 August."
-1,291-
CONFIDENTIAL
E. Survey of the situat.". :
Short report on attac . .. P^ . fr . £1 to 24
August 19-14, see Appendix IV.
,p. Eckermann
26 August,. 1944.
A. Enemy situation?
I. Air reconnaissance ;
Flie^er Fuehrer 5:
No sea reconnaissance.
Flieger Fuehrer 4:
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance in the
area west of the Faeroes from 0508 to 1327.
North fjords and south point of the Faeroes
examined, enemy not sighted.
Flieger Fuehrer 5;
: operations because of carrier warning.
II. Reports on the enemy,;
(a) By U-boats :
Submarine report by- U 711 (Lange), ,
2 vessels sighted'by U 997 (Lehmann).
(b) By air reconnaissance:
At 1110 in AE 9439 1 heavy cruiser, class
not identified, alternating courses.
( c ) By naval forces i None .
(d) By radio intercept servicer
Iokanka area: 3 -minesweepers .
Gorlc Strait/Archangel area: flotilla loader
"Baku", '2 guardships, 2 minesweepers and 1
motor minesweeper.
Belushya/Kara Sea area: 1 guard3hip, 2
minesweepers and 1 ice-breaker.
Dikson area: 1 guardship, 2 minelayers and
4 mines w e 6 p o r s .
Radio ages of first priority were
broadcast: at 1352, 1705 and 1708 on 25
August fro lu3hya to Dikson, at 1601 and
1656 from Dikson to Bolushya, at 1601 froj
Dikson to Archengol, at 1930 and 2025 fro:
Archangel to all naval forces in tho White S .
-1,292-
CONFIDENTIAL
B.
III.
0903
0800
1830
2000
IV.
2018
Britain: at 0215 on 26 August Svanvik obtained
a bearing of 262° on a British unit.
-(e) By G.I.S-. stations: None.
U-boats :
i -i -, i. j i
U-boat positions and alterations of position:
(a) Positions at 0800:
Group "Trutz":
U 394 AC 2731 )
U 354 AC 2735 )
U 703 AC 2737 )
U 363 AC 2762 )
on passage
U 997 AC 2756 )
U 3 AC 2758 )
U 668 AC 2781 )
Group "Greif":
U 278 AT 85 )
U 362 AT 54 ) in Kara Sea attack areas.
U 739 AT 64 )
U 957 Kara Sea on special operation.
In port: -
U 365, 425, 965, 968, 992 Hammerfest,
U 636, 995 TromsB,
U 307, 312, 921, 956- Narvik,
U 387, 737 Trondheim,
U 313, 315, 716 Bergen.
(b) U-boats homeward and outward bound:
U 995 put .out from TrorasB, at 1830 put in to
Hammerfest.
U 636 put in to TrorasB from liars tad.
U 711 put in to Hammerfest from' AC 6430.
U 668 on return passage from AC 2781 to
Hammerfest .
Current U-boat operations:
( a ) Convoy operations : None .
(b ) Operational measures to intercept enemy traffic:
7 boat3 proceeding to new attack areas.
3 boats in Kara Sea attack areas.
Radio message 1920/767 received from "Brunner":
"Presume enemy submarines in approximately AC
1984, as in spito of "bellowing" signal
strength of location in multi-unit hydrophone,
on the. surface in clear visibility nothing is
-1,293-
CONFIDENTIAL
0745
0915
1214
1320
1823
1945
to be see . After submerging again further
est, nothing heard. Remaining submerged in
vicinity until 0100."
Radio message 072^/26 received from U 711
( Lange ) :
11 1 submarine in AC 4896."
That square lies 20 miles northeast of the
position reported by "Wedemeyer" . It is
probably the same submarine.
Radio message 0725/35 received from U 711
(Lange ) :
"At 0641 in AC 4896 fired a T 5 torpedo at
Russian submarine, type . "S" . Torpedo
explosion after 9 minutes 50 seconds.
Submarine then stopped engines . We surfaced
and approached, but it made off at high
speed, course 340°, lost in rain squall."
Radio message 1012/40 received from U 711
(Lange ) :
"Large patch of oil at the place of torpedoing.
Nothing found on various searching courses
because of deterioration of visibility: no
hydrophone bearing . Request aircraft
operations, as submarine appears to be unfit
for diving, Continuing return passage."
Radio message 1251/765 received from U 997
(Lehmann) :
"In AC 2741 2 vessels with Asdic. Make off
to southwest. Fix inexact, fog."
Radio message 1745/766 received from U 703
(Brunner ) :
"In AC 1984 scraping location noises, bearing
300°."
Radio message 1911/768 received from U 997
(Lehmann) :
"In AC 2748 exactly, location by explosive
soundings: similar noises in the immediate
vicinity, Good opportunities to take
bearings. Not from surface vessels, no
secondary noises, speedy deviation, short
pauses roughly each second. Hammering r.z in
a smithy up to signal strength 5, Passed.
Continue pas:; as ordered."
The report almost leads us to suppose that it
is a buoy, particularly as there are no scr-
-1,294-
CONFIDENTIAL
noises to be heard in spite of the speedy ■
deviatie .
1245 Radio message 1209/763 sent:
"1. "Sthamer": Report if attacked carrier can
be "Furious" .
. 2. ''Sthamer", "Pietsch" : if unable to transmit,
l to Andf jord - Narvik. At 1200 on
29 August be at "Schwarz 25"."
The supposition that it is ''Furious51, is the
result of a .P.O.','.'. '.s statement, naming the
carriers taking part in the attack on the
"Tirpitz" on. 24 August, but no auxiliary
carrier was mentioned.
"Pietsch" and "S '' have still not
reported in spite of my request.
2112 Radio message 2105/769 sent:
h '''3orger" : at 0000 give short weather report."
Radio intercept i rts on traffic in Pechora
Sea and the approaches to Kara Sea were
transmitted t:o 5roup "Greif " .
(c ) Special operations by single boats:
957 (Schaar) on reconnaissance of the West
Siberian Sea route.
(d) Miscellaneous :
2020 Teleprinter message Most Secret 4355 A Ops. 1
sent* to 11th U-boat Flotilla:
"Transfer order for U 515 (Zoller) :
1. Put out from Narvik on the forenoon of 28
August for Narvik/Ramsund.
2. Inner leads procedure to Frohavet, then at
a distance of 50 miles from the coast as
far as -66° N in accordance with Order No.
15, make for "vVostf jord.
3. Report probable time of arrival at approach
point by short signal, also passing of "V l" .
4. Radio frequency "Anton II", Northern Waters
very long wave. After making fast at
Re id, switch to Base frequency "T.IC",
479 kc/s.
5. Expect enemy submarines and aircraft, even
in the fjords . "
0350 Teleprinter moss: ■ 2615 received from Naval
-1,295-
CONFIDENTIAL
r Staff, Second Division, C-in-C U-boats
Ops . :
"Fuehrer approves Knight's Cross for "Lango"
(U 711). Arrange for ceremony."
V. Reports of successes:
Torpedoing of Russian submarine by U 711 (Lange)
is accepted.
VI. U-boat reports :
Short report from U 507 (Herrle), eighth
operation ("Schneehuhn" ) , jce Appendix Il/2
C . Surface forces :
Nothing to report.
D. Plans ;
In answer to the request made on 24 August by
Naval Chief Command, Norway to Naval War Staff,
Second Division, C-in-C U-boats Ops. for the
allocation of U-boats to help in setting up
meteorological radio stations on Hope Island,
Bear Island and South Point, Spitsbergen,
2240 teleprinter message Most Secret 2672 was
received from Naval War Staff, Second Division,
C-in-C U-boats Ops.:
"Reference Naval Chief Command, Norway, Operations
Staff Most Secret 10467 A 1 M, U-boats are
available at given dates."
E. Survey of the situation:
Re IV (b) :
"The boats returning from the action against PQ,
32 arc apparently still in contact with
destroyer search groups or even with drifting
acoustic decoys."
Re IV (d) :
"The radio silence from Kara Sea continues, but
the Russian rc.dio traffic from the Dikson -
Belushya area indicates further enemy brushes
with our boats ."
p.p. Eckcrmann.
-1,296-
CONFIDENTIAL
27 August, 1944.
A. Enemy situation;
I. Air reconnaissance;
Flicker Fuehrer 5;
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance, routo
Banak - Bear Island - Banak from 0400 to 0710,
nothing to report, exhaustive.
Flieger Fuehrer 4;
No reports received.
Flieger Fuehrer 5:
1 Ju 188 on meteorological reconnaissance in the
sea area west of the Faeroes. Islands of St. Dimon
and SyderB examined, enemy not sighted.
II • Reports on the enemy;
(a) By U-boats ; None.
(b) By air reconnaissance: None.
(c) By naval forces ; None.
(d) By radio intercept service;
18th Group; lively reconnaissance In the
northern North Sea. (25 aircraft)..
Iokanka area; 2 guardships , 1 minesweeper and
2 guardboats.
Gorlo Strait/Archangel area; flotilla leader
"Baku", destroyer "Gremyashchi" , 1 guardship,
1 minesweeper; and 4 guardboats-. Radio trans-
missions of first priority from Dikson and
Archangel to all naval forces in Northern
Waters, Archangel and Bolushya to Dikson,
Dikson to Belushya and Polyarno, Archangel to
all naval forces in the White Sea. Broadcast
of urgent radio messages on 28 August.
Routine at 0000, Rugby broadcasts, Serios Nos .
HD and GA indicate further activity of British
units in Northern Waters,
Britain; no units intercepted in the Polyarno/
Archangel area.
(o) By G.I.S. stations;
Luftflottc Command 5 wired in teleprinter
message G 12211/44 Ic ;
"Reports of carrier operations on 22 and 23
August were confirmed by prisoners1 statements.
-1,297-
CONFIDENTIAL
Independently of the PQ, convoy escort, tho
following battle group deployed against
the "Tirpitz": aircraft carriers "Formidable"
and "Furious", also a third largo unidentified
carrier of construction, battleship "Dull
of York", 2 cruisers of "Kent" class and 7
destroyers, PQ, convoy was escorted by 2
probable auxiliary aircraft carriers."
B. "J-boats :
III. U-boat positions and alterations of position:
(a) Positions at 0800
Group "Trutz";
U 394 AB 2657)
U 703 AB 2682)
U 363 AB 3922) on Passage.
U 997 AB 3958)
Group "Greif " :
U 278 AT 85 )
U 362 AT 54 ) in Kara Sea attack areas.
U 739 AT 64 )
U 957 Kara Sea on special operation.
In port:
U 365, 425, 711, 965, 968, 992, 995 Hammerfest,
U 636 TromsB,
U 307, 312, 921, 956 Narvik,
U 387, 737 Trondheim,
U 313, 315, 716 Bergen.
-(b) U-boats homeward and outward bound:
0900 U 636 put out from Tromso, at 1900 put in
to Hammerfest.
1030 U 711, 365 put out from Hammerfest for
Harstad.
1700 U 956 put out from Narvik for Tromso.
1830 U 668 put in to Hammerfest from AC 2781.
U 344, 354 on return passage from the
operational area to Andf jord - Narvik.
1400 Group "Trutz" proceeding to new attack areas,
depth of sweep 50 miles: U -394 to AB 3819,
U 997 to AB 6387, U 363 to AB 6816, U 703 to
^3 9345, U 703 to AB 9630.
IV . Current U-boat operations :
(a) Convoy operations: None .
(b) Operational measures to intercept enemy
traffic :
4 boats proceeding to n ttack areas .
-1,298-
CONFIDENTIAL
0020
0020
0613
1221
3 boats in Kara Sea attack areas. Cn the
subject of yesterday's Asdic report,
radio mess ego 2001/772 was received from U 997
(Lehmann) :
"I do not consider it possible for Em enemy
submarine to bo in my vicinity as the noise
source has deviated by 80° in a few minutes
while at our own crawling pace nothing could be
heard -at all except the over- loud rhythmic
crackling. Finally in three separate bearings,
the noise sources varied too much."
Radio message 2005/773 received from U 668
(Eickstcdt ) i
"Am ready for limited diving. Tube 5 loaded
with T 5 torpedo, bow-cap not watertight.
Starting to return. Shall arrive at "SR 1"
at 1400. AC 4391."
Radio message 0542/778 received from U 703
(Br tinner) :
"Abandoned unsuccessful search. Proceeding to
position line III."
The origin of the scraping location noises
had not been determined by the boat.
Radio mess ape 1130/783 sent:
"1. After passing position line III, occupy
the following attack areas, depth of sv/eep
50 miles: "Borger" AB 3819, "Lehmann" AB
6387, "Noes" AB 6816, "Brunner" AB 9345.
2. Meeting of "3runner" with "Edelweiss"
intended at point "H"."
1335
1455
Radio intercept reports on traffic in Pechora
Sea and the approaches to Kara Sea were passed
on to group "Grcif " .
(c) Special operations by single- boats:
U 957 (Schaar) on reconnaissance of the West
Siberian Sea route.
On receipt of the codeword for "Edelweiss",
radio message 1511/784 v/as sent:
" "Brunner" from Captain U-boats.
Proceed immediately at increased speed to
AB 9650: report expected time of arrival."
Radio message 1428/787 received from U 703
(Brunner) :
-1,299-
CONFIDENTIAL
"Shall arrive at 1800 on 20 August."
(d). Miscellaneous :
In reply to yesterday's request,
0320 a short weather report was received from
U 394 (Borger) in radio r. age 0319/777.
In Most Secret 4362 A Ops. 1 transfer order
for U 956 (Mohs) was sent:
"l. Put out from Narvik on the evening of 27
August for Hammerf est .
2. Prom Harstad to TromsB with pilot.
3. With harbor pilot, moor at Mining and
Barrage Command, TromsB and take in mines.
4. Thereafter, proceed to Hammerf est escorted
by 2nd Inshore DeferiGos Unit in .accordance
with Operational Order No. 16. Boat is
expected by 2nd Inshore Defenses Unit.
Sailing time is to be orally arranged
there with 2nd Inshore Defenses Unit.
Current escorts, are to be fully used, but
an effort is to be made to arrive in
Hammcrfcst as soon as possible.
5. As far as. Harstad radio frequency lfMC",
from Harstad radio frequency "Anton I",
from Narvik Northern Waters very long wave.
6. Roport by short signal on "MC" sailing
times from Narvik and Harstad; arrival and
departure from TromsB to be sent on
"Anton I".n ;
V. Reports of successes: None.
C . Surface forces:
Nothing to report.
D. Survey of the situation:
Re IV (b):
"According to radio intercept ropor'ts and radio
transmissions from the boats, returning British
naval forces arc to be expected in Barents Sea."
p.p. Eckermann.
-1,300-
CONFIDENTIAL
26 August, 1944.
A. Bngmg situati:.-. i
I> Air reconnaissance:
Filacer Fuehrer 3:
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance, route
Banak - Bear Island - Banak from 0400 to 0447.
ission abandoned in AC 7240 because of lack of
cloud cover. : sighting reports.
Flieger Fuehrer 4;
1 Ju 188 on reconnaissance in the sea area west of
the Faeroes from 0449 to 1214. Faeroes examined,
enemy not sighted.
Flieger Fuehrer 5:
1 He 111 on meteorological reconnaissance to Jan
Mayen from 0545 to 0752. _ssion abandoned at
0647 in AF 5286 because cloud cover waa too slight,
enemy not sighted.
II. Reports on the enemy;
(a) By U-boats: None.
(b) By air reconnaissance; None.
( c ) By naval fcr-ses : None .
(d) By radio intercept service;
18th Group: lively flying activity (28 air-
craft) .
Iokanka area: 1 giiardship and 1 guardboat.
C-orlo Strait/Arch 1 area: flotilla leader
"Baku", destroyer " l^remyashchi'V, .2. guardships,
3 minesweepers and 1 guardboat.
Belushya/Kara Sea area: 1. guardship .and 1 ice-
breaker.
Some first priority radic messages between
Dikson and Belushya.
Freighters "British Piompipe" , "Relinguzcn" ,
"Gacclay", "Dafid Jons an" , "Empire Butters",
(all unmarked) put in to Dvina estuary
(Archangel) on the evening of 26 August.
(Probably some of the PQ, convoy which put in
to Murmansk on the evening of 24 August).
Britain: no units intercepted in the Polyarno/
Archangel area.
( e ) By G.I.S. stations : None .
-1,301-
CONFIDENTIAL
B. U-boats :
III* U-boat positions and alterations of position:
(a) Positions at 0800 i
Group "Trutz" :
;:U394 AB 3819 )
tf 997 A3 6587 )
U 363 AB 6816 ) in attack areas, depth
U 703 AB 9630 ) of sweep 50 miles .
Group "Greif":
U 278 AT 85 )
U 362 AT 54 ) in Kara Sea attack areas.
U 739 AT 64 )
U 957 Kara Sea on special operation.
In port :
U 425, 636, 668, 965, 968, 992, 995
Hammerfest,
U 956 TromsB,
U 507,- 312 , 921 Narvik,
U 387, 737 Trondheim,
U 313, 315, 716 Bergen.
(b) U-bon.ts homeward and 'outward bound:
0745 U 956 put out from TromsB, at 1440 put in to
Hammerfest.
1012 U 711, 365 put in to Harstad from TromsB,
at 1200 put but ta ilars-tadr..at 1815 put in
• to Narvik.
1900 U 315 put out from Bergen on open water
passage to vik. .,
U '344, 354 on return passage from operational
area to Andf jord - Narvik.
IV. Current U-boat operations:
(a) Convoy operations: None.
(b) Operational measures, to intercept enemy
traffic:
4 boats in formation southwest of Bear Island
t passage. 3 boats in Kara Sea attack areas.
Radio intercept reports on traffic in Pechora
Sea and the approaches to Kara Sea were
passed on to group "Greif".
(c ) Special operations by sinrlu boats:
U 957 (Schaar) on reconnr.is. o of the West
Siberian Sea route.
-1,302-
CONFIDENT IA]
U 703 (Briinner) proceeding as escort boat for
coastguard ship No. 6. (Kehdingen) for operation
"Edelweiss".
1147 . . Radio message 1057/796 sent: ■
"Brunner" from Captain U-boats.
"1. "Edelweiss" will be at point "H" at 1800.
Prom 2000 the escorting boat will, if
necessary, send honing signal "0" on 400
kc/s for 5 minutes every quarter of an hour.
2. Execute operation in accordance with special
order. If necessary, return to Andfjord -
Narvik to refuel before laying the buoy,
announcing your intention by short signal
from AB 45 ."
The minelaying U-boats, which were lying ready
in Hammerfest, were sent on operations.
1219 Radio message 1115/701 sent:
"The following will put out from - Lerfest: on
the evening of 28 August, U 995 (Kohntopp),
U 636 (Schendcl), U 425 (Bontzien); on the
evening of 29 August, U 956 (Mohs), U 992
(Falke), U 968 (Westphalen) .
They will form group "Dachs", proceed via AC 51
and AC 69, further in accordance with Operational
'Order No. 16."
Apart from "Wed -sru,s report received on
August, no more reports from Kara Sea.
1348 Radio message 1509/705 sent:
" "Schaar" from Captain U-boats.
If a situation report is necessary, proceed to
aF 80 for it, as there is apparently no radio
contact east of Novaya Zemlya."
T.o the question of whether, in view of the
possible loss of the materiel for the
alternative store on U 554, operation "Haudegen"
would be delayed, Admiral Polar Coast sent the
following information in teleprinter message Mos^
Secret 5703:
"Replacements have been arranged for all
important materiel for alternative store .
Operation can be carried -out at once."
In teleprinter message Most Secret 4390 A Ops.
to Admiral Polar Coast and Naval Chief Command,
Norway, the following was sent:
"Re Admiral Polar Coast Most Secret 5703 F I:
U 307 (Hcrrle) will be ready on 30 August to
-1,303-
CONFIDENTIAL
jnovo to Tromso as replacement for escort to
"Haudegcn'' , Boat has been ordered to report
to Admiral Polar Coast."
(d) Miscellaneous :
In Most Secret 4378 A Ops. 1., transfer order
for U 507 (Horrid ) was sent:
"1. Put out from Narvik on the forenoon of
29 August via Bogeiv and Ramsund to
Harstad.
2. Prom Lodingcn to Harstad with pilot
3. Await further orders in Harstad. Boat is
expected by Naval Harbor Has tor, Harstad.
4. Radio frequency as far as and including
Harstad remains "L1C"', <: :c/s . , Northern
Waters very lo] ave.«
5. Report arrival at and departure from
Bogon and Ramsund, also arrival at Harstad
on ' ' Lie ' ' . Report sailing, from Narvik by
time short signal."
V. Reports of successes: None.
C . Surface forces; Nothing to report .
D. Survey of the situation;
Re II (d);
"The arrival of PQ, 32 has been further confirmed
by the information on the ships putting in to
Archangel. A return. convoy is not expected
before the unloading of the PQ, convoy. As air
reconnaissance had previously reported no large
ships in such places .ola Bay, we. expect that
the sequence to PQ 32 will be the return of naval
forces only."
p.p. Eckermann.
9 Au-:ust, 1
A. Enemy situation:
■ ■■ p ft ■ ■ i W !■ i r ■ . -
I. Air reconnaissance
Flicker Fuehrer 5:
1 Ju 38 on meteorological reconnaissance, route
Banak - Bear Island.- Banak from 0559 to 0720,
nothing to report, almost exhaust iv- .
-1,304-
CONFIDENTIAL
1 Ju 88 on reconnaissance of harbor and railv/ay
installations at Archangel and Molotovsk from 0455
to 1020. Because of too heavy cloud cover, the
assignment was not carried out. Reconnaissance of
the White Sea from Dvina Bay to West Fairway was
almost exhaustive.
Flieger Fuehrer 4;
No reports .
Flieger Fuehrer 5;
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance to Jan
May en from 0413 to lli5. Route 80$ examined,
north and northwest part of Jan Mayen exhaustively
examined, enemy not sighted.
II. Reports on the enemy;
(a) By U-boats ; None.
(b) By air reconnaissance:
At 0725 in AW 5252 1 merchant ship of 5-6,000
G.R.T., 1 merchant ship of 3,000 G.R.T., 1
merchant ship of 2,000 G.R.T., course 200°,
speed 10 knots. Ships all lying deep in the
water and with deck cargo, type of cargo not
identified.
(c) By naval forces: None.
(d) By radio intercept service;
18th Group; lively flying activity (24 air-
craft). 1 Iceland aircraft appeared.
Norwegian polar coast: lively, in part urgent
radio transmissions to submarines in the
operational area.
Iokanka area; 1 guardship and 1 guardboat .
Gorlo Strait/Archangel area; flotilla leader
"Baku", 2 guardships , 1 minelayer and 3 guard-
boats .
Belushya/Kara Sea area: 1 Ice-breaker.
Dikson area: 1 guardship.
Britain: no units intercepted in the Polyarno/
Archangel area.
Britain: lively, in part very urgent Polyarno
broadcasts, no Archangel broadcasts.
(e) By G.I.S. stations: None.
B. U-boats :
ITT* U-boat positions and alterations of position:
(a) Positions at 0800:
-1,305-
CONFIDENTIAL
0200
0300
1500
2120
1224
IV.
2209
Group "Truts" ;
U 394 A 119 )
U 997 AB G387 ) in a"ttack aroas, depth
U 363 AP> 6816 ) of swoop 50 ndlos •
Group "Greif":
U 278 AT 85 )
U 362 AT 54 ) in Kara Sea attack areas.
U 739 AT 64 )
U 703 AB 6670 on special operation.
U 957 in a Sea on special operation.
In port :
U 425, 636, 668, 9-56,. 965, 968, 992,
995 Hamme r f e s t ,
U 307, 312, 365, 711, 921 Narvik,
U 387, 757'Trondheim,
U 313, 716 Bergen.
(b) U-boats homeward and outward bound:
U 956 put in to Hammerfest from Tromso.
U 425, 636, .995 put out from Hammerfest on
special operation,
U 956,. 968, 99?. put out from Hammerfest on
special operation.
U'507 put out from Narvik for Harstad.
U 344 j 354, on return passage from the
operational area to Andf jord - Narvik.
Group "Trutz" on passage'? -§ 363 to AB
6780, U 394 to AB 5410.
U 515 proceeding via inner leads from
Bergen to Trondheim.
Current'1 U-boat operations:
(a) Convoy operations :
Teleprinter message st Secret 4156/44
received from Luftf lotto 5 Ic:
"Prom 1412 onwards, one of the 2 aircraft
carriers which had escorted the PQ, convoy to
Murmansk in picked up by Svanvik and
Kirkenes. A bearing of 028° was obtained at
1500. ■'Possibly escort for return convoy.
Further investigation^ riocessi r ."
( b ) Operational measures to intercept enemy
traffic:
3 boats in formation southwest of Bear Island
passage. 5 boats in Kara 3 attack areas*
-l,3u
CONFIDENT IAL
2000
112.7
1318
1613
Radio message 1925/756 sent:
Group "Greif" from Captain U-boats:
"Your attention is again called to group
frequency "Ulli I" for routines in accordance
with Standing Order No. 216, as long as boats
are not heard by control."
In this way we shall ensure that a unified
command of the boats ensues from the most
senior commander, even if connection with
control breaks down.
Radio intercept reports on traffic in Pechora
Sea and the approaches to Kara Sea were passed
on to group "Greif " .
(c ) Special operations by single boats:
U 705 (Brunner) acting as escorting boat for
coastguard ship No. 6 (Kehdingen) for operation
"Edelweiss" .
U 957 (Schaar) on reconnaissance of the West
Siberian Sea route.
The sailing of "Kehdingen" on special operation
"Edelweiss • was reported to the boats:
Radio message 1005/725 sent:
"On the evening of 28 August, U 705 with trawler
"Kehdingen" put out from Tromso, proceeding
via AB 5840 to the west. "Kehdingen": motor
vessel of 500 G.R.T., 1 mast forward, open
bridge, funnel and d/p apparatus of the same
height, boat's davits aft, black hav/sepipe,
Russian flag. Ship is not to be stopped, if
necessary call by recognition signals."
Ice reconnaissance will again be carried out
for operation "Edelweiss" and the safety
service boats will be detailed.
Radio message 1224/729 sent:
_.
"FW 200 will take off on ice reconnaissance at
1430. As safety service vessels the following
are proceeding at increased speed: "Noes" to
AB 6780, "Borger" to AB 5410."
Radio message 1542/750 sent:
" "Brunner" from Captain U-boats.
Proceed immediately via AB 28, not 5840."
request of Naval Chief Command, Norway.)
(d) Miscellaneous :
(At
Transfer order for U 965 (Unverzagt) was sent
to U-boat base Hammerfest in Most Socret 4586
A Ops . 1 :
"1. First Gunnery Officer will deputize for the
-1,507-
CONFIDENTIAL
wounded commander.
2. Put out from Hammorfcct on tho ovening of
29 August via TroinsB tc *vik.
3. Escort as far aa Tromso. Make fast there-
with harbor pilot at Mining and Barrage
Command. Give up mine/. Boat is expected.
4. Thereafter proceed further with pilot to
Ramsund. Take in torpedoes.
5. Radio frequency ''Anton I", Northern Waters
very long wave. Prom Lodingen switch to
Base wave !IMC", 479 kc/s . and report.
Report making fast at Ramsund. Further
orders follow.
6. If possible execute "Luchs" exercises.-
Observe Para. 8 of the order.
7. Unverzagt should resume command when he
recovers ."
V. Reports of successes: None.
C. Surface forces:
■ ■!■■■! ■ ^IIM ■ II ■ lllHl^.>IM> .
2110 Teleprinter message received from Commander,
Altaf jord:
"At 1700 on 29 August, some 60 carrier-borne
aircraft attacked Altaf jord. Si.ioke screen
promptly laid,. Several planes shot down, few
casualties ."
D« Survey of the situation:
2209 Teleprinter message Most- Se-crot 029922 A Ops.
received from Naval War Staff, Second Division,
C-in-C U-boats Ops.:
"Query: What are the chances of another QP convoy
running in the ncar'f uturc?"
Teleprinter message Most Secret 4595 A Ops. was
sent to Naval War Staff , Second Division, C-in-C
U-boats Ops.:
"In reply. to your Most Secret 029922 A Ops of
29 August:
A return convoy usually runs in conjunction with
tho next PQ, convoy after the ships have been
unloaded. The unladen stoaraors have sovoral
times been obs.orved waiting for a long time for
such an opportunity."
Tho laden s1 :iers sighted by air reconnaissance
seem to indicate the improbability of a return
convoy in the near futuiv . The carrier boarings
probably indicate only returning naval forcos
-1,308-
CONFIDENTIAL
which as wo have learned, do not remain in "a
Russian port for very long. Before PQ, 32 ran, no
adequately large merchant ships were observed in
tho north Russian ports to enable the formation of
a return convoy now.
p.p. Eckermann.
50 August, 1944.
A. Enemy situation;
I. Air reconnaissance;-
Flicger Fuehrer 5;
No operations .
Flicker Fuehrer 4:
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance in the sea
area west of the Faeroes from 0436 to 1334.
Faoroes not examined because of mist'.
Flieger Fuehrer 5;
1 He 111 on meteorological reconnaissance to Jan
Mayen from 0458 to- 1137. Route and east part of
Jan Mayen 4:0% examined, enemy not sighted.
II • Reports on the enemy;
(a) Bj U-boats ;
Destroyer report from "Schendel",
destroyer report from "Kfthntopp" .
(b) By air reconnaissance;
At 0915 in AE 8940 1 heavy cruiser, course
east, high speed, class not identified
because of shower ; not known whether it is an
independent vessel or part of a formation.
(c) By naval forces ; None.
(d) By radio intercept service;
Norwegian polar coast; moderate number of radio
transmissions. At 1322 on 29 August codewords
of very high priority, at 1555 radio message
of first priority to all submarines in the
operational area.
Murmansk area: flotilla leader "Baku" and 1
motor boat.
-1,309-
CONFIDENTIAL
B.
III.
• Iokanke area: 1 guardship and 1 minesweeper.
Ponoi area: 1 guardboat;
Gorlo Strait/Archangel area: 5 guardships ,
1 minelayer, 5 minesweepers and 1 guardboat .
Belushya/Kara Sea area: destroyer "Uritski"
and 1 guardship.
Messages of first., priority from Belushya to
Dikson, and from Archangel and Dikson to all
naval forces in Northern -Waters .
Britain: no units intercepted in the Polyarno/
Archangel area. At 1506 on 29 August Svanvik
obtained a bearing of 028^ on British radio
traffic (probably from carrier ) . At 1620
Svanvik obtained a bearing of 311° on a U.S.
unit .
(e) By G.I.S. stations: None.
U-boats :
U-boat positions and alterations of position:
(a) Positions at 0800:
Group "Trutz":
U 997 AB 6387 in the attack area, depth
of sweep 50 miles .
Group "Greif " :
U 278 AT 85 )
U 362 AT 54 ) in Kara Sea attack areas.
U 739 AT 64 )
Group "Dachs":
U 425 AC 5450 ]
U 636 AC 5430 !
U 995 AC 5430 ]
1 on passage
U 956 <AC 4950 ]
U 968 AC 4950 ]
U 992 AC 4950
U 363 AB 6780 on special operation.
U 394 A3 5410 on special operation.
U 703 AB 2840 on special operation.
U 957 in Kara Sea on special .operation
0210
In port:
U 668, 965 Hammerfest,
U 307 Harstad,
U 312, 365, 711, 921 Narvik,
U 315, 337, 737 Trondheim,
U 313, 716 Bergen.
(b) U-boats homeward and r'Qund:
U 307 put in to Harstad from Narvik. 1840
put out again for TromsB.
-1,310-
CONFIEZiniAI
0315
0820
IV.
0650
1107
1855
2042
2124
U 315 put in . after proceeding v
inner leads fr
U 363, 394 on return passage to former attack
areas •
U 344, on return passage from the operational
area tc Andfjord - Narvik.
Current lT-boat operations :
( a ) Convoy : er at ions : Hone .
(b) Operational measures tc intercept enemy traffic:
1 boat disposed southwest of Bear Island passage.
3 boats in Kara Sea attack areas .
Short signal 064l/7-=C received from "Schendel" :
"At 0300 3 destroyers in AC 5423."
Short signal 1107/750 received from U 995
(Kohntcpp ) :.
"4 destroyers, in AG 5157."
This may be the same- destroyer group, probably
a search group.
Radio message 1 4 ":'5 received from "3orger":
"AB 523,". Inexact- convoy location (minimum
signal strength broad), bearing 082° and 087°
(2 sources). I shall use the following short
signals: lfl = ive taken a bearing of °
on first radio source; am in square , etc.
to "U0I.IC-" b Have taken a bearing on fourth radio
source ."
It appears to be a returning warship formation
(possibly carrier £ tion.)
As a result of "Borger" !s report,
radio mcsef . 2015/759 was sent:
" "Borger": expect returning carriers: you are
free to attack."
Radio message 2056/760 sent:
"Nees", "Lehmann" from Captain U-boats.
"Ycu are free to act on "3orger"'s report.
Possible for: m in A5 51 on southwestern
course."
(c ) Srpcci-1 ■.:■_■■-.:_.. ', " sin-Ie beats:
U 363 (Nees)- and U 394 (Borger) in formation
safety service vessels for ice reconnaissance
-1,311-
CONFIDENTIAL
U 703 (Brunncr) es escorting boat for coast-
guard ship No. 6 (KohdingonJ for operation
''Edelweiss" .
U 957 (Schaar) on reconnaissance of the West
Siberian Sea route.
Group "Dachs" on minelaying operations.
Q817 Radio messcge 0758/747 sent:
" "Borger", "Nees" from Captain U-boats.
Ice reconnaissance successfully concluded.
Return to former attack areas at economical
speed.1'
1522 Radio message 1451/754 sent:
"Greif" and "Dachs" from Captain U-boats:
''1. On 12 August "Wedemeyer" reported a steamer
escorted from Yugorski Strait eastwards by
Diesel vessels of about 600 tons, no
funnel, speed 15 knots, mast look-out, no
location, slight attacking value, depth
.changes*- - No •m-ineswe-eping activity. Later,
expec-t- 'de-stroyers to be transferred to
Kara Sea.
2. Camouflage procedure off the coast
betrayed by "Lcnge" on 12 August.
3. Act in accordance with the note in
Operational Order No. 16."
1250 Radio message 1208/752 sent:
" "Brttriner" from Captain U-boats.
Air reconnaissance reported at 2045 on 29
August in AA '3: 1 vessel of 400 G.R.T.,
type unidentified, gray streaked special
vessel with sickle bow, equipped for ice
passage. 1 low funnel, forward a high top-
mast, course 060°. Ice report follows."
2143 Ice report was sent to "Brunner" in radio
message 2057/761.
(d) Miscellaneous :
1355 Radio mess 1326/753 sent:
"Group " .f", especially "Schaar" from
Captain U-boats.
You arc Ln directed to take measures to
avoid any danger of "ZaunkBnig" falling into
enemy hands during attacks and operations
near land.'1
The reminder . necessary because some boats
rati inllow t»« "Schaar"
has a lr.ndi: ult of "Langc"'s
report.
-1,312-
CONFIDENTIAL
1455 Teleprinter message Most Secret 4404 A Ops. 1
sent to Naval War Staff, Second Division,
C-in-C U-boats Ops . i
HU 544 (Pictsch) is missing. Put out from
Narvik at 1300 on 5 August. Set on PQ, 32.
Last report on 22 August in radio message 0201/
717 from AB 611 concerning blower trouble.
No further clues. Loss presumed due to the
c onv o 7 escort. U 35 4 ( S thane r ) is mi s s ing .
Put out from Narvik at 1845 on 21 August. Set
on PQ 32,. Last message was short signal 0020/
793 on 24 August, reporting carrier-borne
aircraft in AC 5720. No further clues. Loss
presumed duo to the convoy escort.
Both boats failed to' report on request on 25
August and; up. to now have not complied with the
order to put in to Andfjord on 29 August."
V. Reports of successes; None.
VI. U-boat reports ;
Short report from U 668 (Eickstodt), second
operation, see Appendix I 1/5.-
C. Surface forces; Nothing to report.
D. Organizational;
Teleprinter message Most Secret, 7339 U 1 received
from Admiral Commanding U-boats :
"In view of the altered situation, administrative
subordination- of operational U-boats will be as
follows until further orders :
1. Boats putting out from Germany for Atlantic
operations are assigned to 11th U-boat Flotilla,
from which exactly the same number of northern
area boats are withdrawn and allotted to 13th
U-boat Flotilla, which will. soon be employed
in Northern Waters only. 11th U-boat Flotilla
becomes the Atlantic . flotilla, but is temporarily
subordinated to Captain U-boats Central.
2. Reference the new formation of. 33rd U-boat
Flotilla in Flensburg on 15 September. It
becomes a reception and disposal flotilla for
operational boats returning from the western
area; under command of Captain tf-boats , East,
later under the present Captain U-boats, West.
3. New regulations (if any) after clarification of
the general situation.
E. Surve:/- of the situation;
1836 Teleprinter message Most Secret 03020 A Ops . received
from 'Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C
U-boats Ops . :
-1 , 513-
CONFIDENTIAL
"In our opinion a QP convoy may run at any time
Compare destroyer report by "Schondol" and
bearing on carrier obtained by ovrnvik. Report
intentions . "
Teleprinter message Most Secret 4430 A Ops. 3ent
to Naval I Staff, Second Division, C-in-C
U-boats :
"Reference your Most Secret 03020 A Ops. of 30
August on the subject of the QP convoy:
1. Air reconnaissance reports ships still putting
in to Gorlo Strait on 29 August. They lie
low in the wate . First arrival observed there
on 26 August.
2. Before PCW 52-, only small units were intercepted
in Kola Bay,
3. The bearing obtained by Svanvik, the reports
from "Schendel" and "Kohntopp" of destroyers
in AC 51 and MDorgerw,s reports on radio
traffic east of AB 5235 indicate returning
naval forces rather than a convoy.
4. It docs not therefore seem likely that a QP
convoy will run soon.
5. Apart from the special operation in progress
at present, only 3 boats are in the operational
area; a further seven at the most will be
ready shortly in northern ports .
6. Intention: to attack units returning to the
west, employing only the boats in the
operational area. Formation of a new group
planned for next PQ convoy, for the present
undisturbed execution of special operations."
p.p. Eckermann.
31 August, 1944.
A. Enemy s i t uat ion :
!• Air reconnaissance:
Flioror Fuehrer 3:
No sea re conna i s s anc e '.
Flipper Fuehrer 4:
No reports .
-1,314-
CC-." -.-—- — *\~
::
--li: : :~ : :.-:-r:r 5:
1 He 111 on i : ice to J:
yen from 0500 to 1057. At 07£ _ssic
led i. of of cloud cover.
Route 95$ c not sighted.
:-. --- •- :::j :r. the enemy :
( a ) By U-boat . Tone .
(b) By air recor.:-. nee : N
( c ) By naval z:z~:z_._z_ : Hone .
(d) By radio intei rvice";
No] _ar coast; lively radio traffic.
At 2116 a very urgent codeword was transmitted
to sue. nee in the operational ar
Radio t: -issions of first priority from
:n, Dikson to all naval forces
In Northern Waters and arno, Iokanka to
_ [orthern ".'iters.
On the evening of 29 A nd during the
morning and evening of 50 August, naval forces
received urgent messages from Archangel.
stroyer ,fUrit in the Amderma ar
on tl of 3C August .
Iokanka area: 1 gup _;. and 1 minesweeper.
Gorlo Strait/Arc al aria: 1 guardship and
4 guardt :■ •
lushya -per and 1 ice-
r,
on areas 2 guards hips and 4 minesweepers.
Britain: no ui in the Polyarno/
A:
Bear ; at 2200 on 30 A :t obtained a
b ng of 274° on tish unit.
(e) By -.1.3, sa :.~_ zas : None .
B.
III.
U-bcats :
U-boat positions - ions of position:
(a) Positions :.-
Gt s" :
■ ii i >- -i i - - - . - . . .
U 594 A3 5819) .... , .. .
U 997 A3 6387) in a-ttaCiZ areas, depth of sweep
U 363 A3 6816) 50 z '
Grou " :
- - - 1 i ■ i - n i -
U 278 AH B5 )
U 362 AT 54 ) in Kara Soa attack areas.
U 72 Al 34 )
-1,315-
CONFIDENTIAL
Group "Dacha" ;
u
425
AC
5665 )
u
656
AC
5667 )
u
995
AC
5637 )
u
956
AC
5276 • )
u
968
AC
5524 )
u
992
AC
5532 )
oru passage .
0230
1200
1510
2215
IV.
1310
1610
U 703 AB 5689 on special operation.
U 957 in Kara Sea on special operation.
In port;
U 668, 965 'Hammer feet,
U 307 Tr orris ft,
U 312, 365, 711, 921 Narvik,
U 315, 387, 737 Trondhcim,
U 513, 716 Bergen.
(b) U-boats homeward and outward bound:
U 307 put in to TromsB from Harstad.
U 315 put out from Trondhoim on open
water passage to Hammerfest.
U 957 on return passage from Kara Sea to
Hammerfest .
Group "Grcif" proceeding to- position line 1
from AS 1992 to AS 4331.
Current U-boat operations ;
(a) Convoy operations; None
(b) Operational measures to intercept enemy
traffic;
3 boats in formation southwest of Bear Island
passag . 3 boats in Kara Sea attack areas.
Radio message 1146 received from "Borgcr":
"Last convoy locations: at 2045 in grid
square 2977 first or second radio source,
bearing 094°, at 0000 in grid square 2985
third radio source, bearing 208°. Since
then no more clues, no hydrophone bearings."
Radio mess afro 15. '3 5 received from "Borger":
"In grid square 5496 4 to 6- radio sources,
bearing 150° to 160° exactly."
apparently the formation was on a southwesterly
course. By dead reckoning its speed was onl
10 to 11 knots, thus light either be a
returning unit which has been damaged, or a
convoy. Latter is hardly credible, as no
clue3 indicate the running of a QP convoy.
-1,516-
CONFIDENTIAL
Both boats "Borger" and "Nogs" were again
directed to the bearing. "Borger11 r s northerly
course cannot be explained, as we accept a
southwesterly course for the formation.
1624 Radio message 1520/776 received, from U 997
(Lehmann) : ""-
MAB 6151. Intend to return at 2400. Require
3*7 cm. rammer. Radar set out of order, shot
through by a bullet from a piano on 22 August.
New cable. Port external fuel tank No. 4 also
pierced."
1841 Radio message 1801/777 sent:
"According to bearings, formation is expected
to be in AB 6260 at 1400, probably on south-
westerly course. "Borger" and "Nees" : operate
on it. "Borger" fs northerly course not under-
stood."
"Lehmann", who intended to return, was also sot
on to the formation.
2337 Radio message 2247/782 sent:
" "Lehmann": if possible continue to operate
on probable formation. Then return to
Andf jcrd - Narvik."
1910 Radio message 1510/778 received from U 957
(Schaar) :
"For four days unable to make contact when
transmitting, therefore already in AT 21.
Proceeding to Hammerfest for immediate
refuelling and to pass on facts gained from
P.O.W. (among them a communications officer on
the staff of S.O. Communications , Dikson) .
Important facts gained for U-boat operations.
Definite pointers to convoy. Propose 4 boats
as soon as possible in formation 12 miles off
the coast seawards, depth of sweep depending
on visibility. Proceed from Karneni Island
eastwards, low speed, group radio frequency."
Hence "Schaar" was returning. Apparently ho
had made another landing.
On "Schaar"' s report, the. 3 boats "Pranze",
"Franz" and "Mangold wore sent to operate.
2303 Radio message 2215/781 sent:
"Group "Groif" :• proceed to position line 1 from
AS 1982 to 4331, order "Franze", "Franz",
"Mangold". Be there at 2200 on 5 September.
Group radio frequency, "Franze" as control. In
shallow water preliminary flooding of tanks."
-1,317-
CONFIDENT IAL
Radio intercept reports on traffic in Pechora
Sea and the approaches to Kara Sea wei
passed on to group "Greif'.
(c) Special operations by single boats:
U 703 (Brunner) as escorting boat for
coastguard ship No. 6 (Kehdingen) for
operation "Edelweiss'1' .
U 957 (Schaar) on reconnaissance of the
West Siberian Sea route,
Group "Dachs" on minelaying operations.
(d) Miscellaneous :
U 957 (Schaar) proceeding from AT 21 to
Hammerfest .
0044 Radio message 2541/785 sent:
" "Schaar" from Captain U-boats.
1. Expect carrier-borne aircraft and
destroyer groups in AC 50. Increased
danger from Russian submarines 60 miles
off the approaches .
2. Send short report from Hammerfest. Prom
there proceed immediately with Lt.
Kentmann and prisoners."
V. Reports of successes: None.
VI. U-boat reports :
Short report from U 365 (Wedemcycr), fifth
operation (second in Northern Waters) and
short report from U 711 (Lango), continuation of
seventh operation, sec Appendix Il/4,5.
C. Surface forces: Nothing to report.
D. Survey of the situation:
"Barents Sea: "Borgor11, up to now the only boat
with an intermediate wave D/p apparatus,
provided excellent information on a westbound
formation. As far as the courses can be estimated
from dead reckoning, it might be a convoy or even
slow naval forces, but might oven be the heavy
unit torpedoed by "Langc". In equipping several
boat3 to take bearings on radio traffic, prospocts
arc favorable for intercepting convoys and
hauling ahead independently even without any air
reconnaissance .
Kara Sea: ''Schaar" appears to have capturod a
Russian lighthouse and gained important
information on the traffic to be expect- .
Gradually the recent excited radio traffic in tho
Kara Sea area becomes intelligible."
p.p. Eckermann.
-1,518-
CONFIDENTIAL
A] IX i/l
■ » ■ ■■■■■■ > ■! ■ ■. d ■ „
COPY
Most Secret
Captain U-boats Norway On board, 19 August, 1944.
Serial No. Most Secret
S.O.s only 123/44 A Ops.
Sailing order for coastguard ship No. 6 (Kehdinren) ,
operation "Edelweiss ".
1. Put out from Narvik for TromsB on route '.'Rot'1' on the
forenoon of 20 August. Take on dogs from "Hessen".
Pilot necessary from LBdingen to TromsB. Pilot has
been arranged.
2. In TromsB anchor in Ramf jord. Crew not to go ashore.
Report to the' Naval Harbor Master and after the arrival
of U 703, report with Lt . Brunner to Admiral Polar
Coast in Tromsdalen, flaus Lyn.
3. Put out from TromsB with U 703 as soon as ready, escorted
by 2nd Inshore Defenses Unit. Report time of departure
at point WH" by Emergency teleprinter message to Naval
Chief Command, Norway and Captain U-boats, Norway.
Codeword ,f S o nne rib lume" received in Naval Chief Command,
Norway Most Secret S.O.s only 1118 A 1 of 18 August.
4. Proceed under leadership of U 703 via A3 3840 to AA 3490
and then independently. on a northwesterly course in
accordance with the Operational Order. U 703 will
stand on and off the ice limit for two more days after
parting and will then return.
Naval Chief Command, Norway wired in Most Secret 1117
A 1 S.O.s only of 18 August: Very favorable ice
conditions. The inner North Bay lies in 75° N, 14° W.
Approach point is in the northern part of kk 37, from
there direct northwesterly course, deviating somewhat
westwards in grid square 2G, where there is some quite
harmless new ice formation. Second reconnaissance
flight intended as planned.
5. Procedure in U-boat escort;
(a) Escort leader is the commander of the U-boat.
(b) U-boat normally steers astern of the escorted ship
within signal!: range. Signal traffic,
particularly the fast but unobtrusive transmission
of enemy sightings, should be practised.
(c) A rendezvous is to be arranged daily for the
following morning at 0800, in case contact is lost
through bad weather or encounters with the enem; .
-1,319-
CONFIDENTIAL
(d)
CeT
In enemy encounteTS, it* is vital that the type of
ship and the fact that she is escorted by a U-boat
should not be discovered. The boat will" therefore
submerge unobserved' and watch through the periscope.
The ship should steer a dummy course or try to draw
the enemy naval forces across the U-boat diving
position, so that 'the boat can attack. If an enemy
aircraft attacks, the boat should surface if possible
to givo help. If there is no more danger, the ship
will indicate by 3 echoes on the echo-sounder that
the boat can surface. After every encounter with the
enemy, the rendezvous will be 20 miles from the
diving position in the direction of the course last
steered.
In the event- -of 'damage or inability to maneuver,
vessels will render mutual assistance and, if possible,
attompt a tow, .In
report by radio.
case of emergency, the U-boat will
(f) Encounters with U-boats will, if possible, be avoided.
If an unknown submarine is sighted, it is to be.
regarded as hostile until the correct recognition
signal is given.
6. Return passage and further procedure in accordance with
the Operational Order.
p.p. Reche . „ '
-1,320-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX 1/2
CQ
Most Secret
Captain U-boats, Norway On board, 18 August, 1944.
Serial/No. Mos-t Secret
4192 A Ops.
Sailing; order for coastguard ship No. 3 (Busch),
operation "Hsuder.en" .
1. Put out from Narvik via 3ogen - Harstad on route "Rot"
for TromsB on the forenoon. of 19 August. Make fast at
the new pier in 3ogen: report to Hut 8 at 0800. Pilot
necessary from LBdingen to TromsB. Pilot has been
arranged. The ship is expected at Naval Equipment and
Repairs Office, Bogen, Supply Office, Karstad and in
TromsB.
2. Anchor in Tromsb in the south roads. Crew not to go.
ashore. Commander to report. to the Naval Harbor Master
and after the arrival of U 354 to report to Admiral
Polar Coast in Tromsdalen, .Haus Lyn, with Lt. Sthamer.
Report promptly by Emergency teleprinter message (Most
Secret) to Naval Chief Command, Norway and Captain
U-boats, Norway, when ready to put out. Ice reconnais-
sance intended after sailing.
3. On receipt of the codeword, put out from TromsB with
U 354 in accordance with Operational Order "Haudcgon".
Escort provided by 3rd Inshore Defenses Unit. Report
time of departure at point "H11 by Emergency teleprinter
message to Naval Chief Command, Norway and Captain
U-boats, Norway.
4. Proceed under leadership of U 354 via AB 3840 and
further at a distance of 50 miles from the coast in
accordance with the Operational Order.
5. Procedure in U-boat escort;
(a) Escort leader is the commander of the U-boat.
(b) U-boat will normally steer astern of the escorted
ship within signaling range.. Signal traffic,
particularly the fast but unobtrusive transmission
of enemy sightings, should be practised.
(c) A rendezvous is to bo arranged daily for the
following morning at 0800, in case contact is lost
through bad weather or oncountcrs with the enemy.
(d) In enemy encounters, it is vitol that the typo of
-1,321-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX Il/l
COPY
Most Secret
Teleprinter message:
1. Emergency: Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C
U-boats Ops .
2. Emergency. Admiral Commanding U-boats.
3. Emergency. For information Naval War Staff, First
Division.
4. Immediate. For information 13th U-boat Flotilla.
Clear as multiple address message.
Red - Most Secret.
Short report from U 711 (Lange), seventh operation.
29 July 1944 Put out from Narvik on transfer passage
to Hammerfest.
2 August Put out.
19 August Put in to Hammerfest. Radio intercept
group "Kentmann" also on board.
2-10 August Proceeded via AF 88 to the operational area
AS 20.
10 - .12.
August In AS 2781 boat lay on the bottom in water
7*5 meters deep close to Wardroper Island to
survey the shipping traffic undisturbed and
for radio reconnaissance. Used net3 to
camouflage the tower which jutted out.
11 August At 1700, while covering the aircraft
frequency, intercepted a "Catalina", which
passed with northerly course, altitude 200
meters, range 3,000 meters to the west:
boat not observed.
12 August At 0915 the "Catalina" picked up by radio
monitoring ran in to the boat, altitude 200
meters: boat de-camouflaged shortly before.
Sudden burst of fire. Could not drive it
off as 3.7 cm. gun failed after the third
shot. Blew up and cast off. aircraft
continued to shadow, made several runs-in
but never to within an effective firing
range. Summoned another aircraft in several
-1,323-
CONFIDENTIAL
radio messages, so after 30 minutes we sub-
merged and made off.
At 1445 and 1649 several explosions in the
direction of AS 2781. Several radio reports
showed that the boat, had .been. observed. . No
radio communication. Strong air patrols
intercepted on the radio from the attack area
which we had left .
13 August
14 August
Proceeded to meet
it .
ordered by
'Schaa-r" in AS 2125,- as
radio. At 0138 in AS 2497 we
submerged because of aircraft noise.
At 0600 in AS 2459 we submerged because of
aircraft noise; both had previously been
intercepted by radio group "Kehtmann*' . ■
At 1015 proceeded at periscope depth in the
direction of i!3chaarn's hydrophone. Attack
periscope damaged by ice. .
At 1045 mot "Schaar'1 : transferred 1 radio
^intercept operator with goar,. provisions,
"fuel and oil.
Then commenced return passage because of
damage to the attack periscope. Reported by
radio.
17 August
In AT 1455 drifting meteorological buoy out
of control.
Drifting mines :
19 August AC 4945, AC 4947, AC 4895 and AC 4897. Typo Mark XX
Drift ice of varying thickness east of 77° E, southern
boundary 76° N, south and west of there no ice. Although we
transmitted several radio messages, there was no communica-
tion from Kara Sea. The radio monitoring of the aircraft
frequencies was .worthwhile . The gathering of fairly strong
escort forces and the lively air patrol would appear to
indicate shipping traffic in the near future.
Comments by Captain U-boats, Norway:
"Skillfully executed operation, but the oarly detection on
12 August might perhaps have been avoided as it makes
operations for the other boats more difficult and, in
addition, the type ::of camouflage has been exposed.''
Captain U-boats, Norway Most Secret - 4248 - A Ops.
-1,324-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX I 1/2
i
COPY
Most Secret
Teleprinter message;
1. Emergency. Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C
U-boats Ops .
2. Emergency. Admiral Commanding U-boats.
3. Emergency. For information Naval War Staff, First'
Da _ t «
i vision.
4. Emergency. For information 13th U-boat Flotilla.
Clear as multiple address message.
Most Secret.
Short report from U 507 (Herrle)s eighth operation
• (Schneehuhn FT"
4 August 1944 Put cut from Hammer f est.
23 August Put in to Hammerfest.
Proceeded to Spitsbergen^ Ice Fjord with
scout unit ''Schneehuhn".
6 August Unit landed at Diab'asodde, Sassenf jord.
Then anchored in Gipsvika.
7 August Sighted 3 destroyers and 3 vessels off
Barentsber. . Weighed anchor, steered
towards Templef jord. Did not attack
because of the bad state of the battery and
insufficient underwater range.
8 August Anchored at GasByane.
11 August Picked up the scout unit and left Ice Fjord.
12 August Landed the unit at Cape BjBrset. chore d
at Van Muydenbukt . Reconnaissance.
16 August While on reconnaissance, destroyed 2
secondary military camps near the bay.
17 August Svoagruva: usi: uns and cxplosivos,
destroyed well«rmaint?.inod mine, powor
station with several Diesel renorators,
radio station, settlement and secondary
military camp of about 40 buildings.
-1,325-
CONFIDENTIAL
18 August At Camp Morton, destroyed a largo armod cutter
of 100 G.R.T. after spirited defense. Took
on the scout unit at Russekjeila.
19 August Destroyed the occupied anti-aircraft site
at Revneset with the cooperation of the
scout unit which attacked it from land.
Reconnaissance of Ny-Aalosund. Returned
via the south tip of Spitsbergen and Bear
Island.
Report from the scout unit: Only Norwegian anti-aircraft
soldiers with British equipment in Ice Fjord: at the most
250 men in Advent Bay, main camp at Sverdrupf jell. 4 anti-
aircraft sites. Airfield unusable. Only 1 anti-aircraft
site occupied in Barentsberg.
Comments by Captain U-boats, Norway:
Skillful, successful landing operation by the tried
commander.
Successes: 1 anti-aircraft site, '1 mine and several
military camps destroyed; 1 armed cutter destroyed.
.Captain U-boats, Norway Most Secret - 4554 - A Ops .
-1,326-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX I 1/5
COPY
Most Secret
Teleprinter messages
1. Emergency. Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C
U-boats Ops .
2. Emergency. Admiral Commanding U-boats.
3. Emergency. For information Naval War Staff, First
T"\ too
Division.
4. Immediate. For information 13th U-boat Flotilla.
Clear as multiple address message.
Yellow - Most Secret.
Short report from U 668 (Eickstedt), second operation
19 July Put out from Narvik.
26 August Put in to Hammerfest.
19 July Proceeded via AB 9480 and 9446 to attack
area AB 9189.
20 July In AB 9442 at periscope depth. "Catalina" ,
short location transmission in AB 9443 on
"Fliege" .
21 July In AB 9425 ''Liberator" on parallel flight.
In AB 9152 short location transmission.
22 July In AB 9431 at periscope depth, spotted
"Liberator'' . AB 9435 short location trans-
mission. Attack area on 27 July AB 6795.
5 August In A3 5967.
8 August In AB 5369, depth of sweep 50 miles.
12 August Proceeded to AB 11 to determine the ice
limit .
14, 15 August From AEH 8994 via AA 3512 to AA 6153 along
the ice limit as far as 74° N.
18 August Attack area AB 5645. No sighting.
21 August At 1600 operated on the convoy reported in
AB 5450.
-1,327-
con?ide:~ :^l
22 August Submerged from a carrier-borne aircraft in
each cf -the following: AC 7196, 1317, 1824,
1826, 1831 and from 4 aircraft in 1844.
(All "Swordf ish" ) .
23 August Submerged from a carrier-borne aircraft in
1834. ^At 0300 on the surface in 1839 drove
off an aircraft, which remained at the limit
of the 2 cm. gun range: 3«7 cm. gun very
inclined to ja... In parts of the samson
lever and the rammer, the metal was too soft.
After submerging, 2 bombs were dropped,'
dived to A-35. Slight damage. Carrier-
borne aircraft at periscope depth in AC 1517
dropped bombs in an oil patch 500 meters
astern. 2 alarms due to Russian flying boat
in AC 5415. Carrier-borne aircraft in 5464
dropped a depth charge, dived to A + 20.
24 August At 0100 alarm due to short location trans-
mission in 290° in AC 5574. Later at 0200
two misses with T 5 torpedoes fired at a
destroyer belonging to a search formation.
Possible that a hit was scored on another
unit of the search formation. _Procedure
"Trier" before firing and continuous
""'- alteration of position: ."Koblenz" after
firing. Depth charges presumed fronTsound
of explosions. Then depth charge pursuit.
Proceeded at depth 2A to 2A + 20 until 0200
on 25 August. . The destroyer kept coming from
the same side ahead of the boat ?.t slight
speed, stopped apparently to listen, then
came nearer and used a location set, which
probably sent out the singing note which faded
and swelled (over 1,000 cycles) in equal
revolutions. Roughly . abeam the boat, depth
charges were dropped -J- - 1 minute after the
location transmission. Then the destroyer
again went ahead of the boat at slight speed.
The docoys had little effect in preventing
the discovery of the boat.
25 August At 0300 surfaced after- all our reserves wore
used up. Destroyer making off in AC 5765,
just visible. 'Boat withdrew to the coast:
again able to dive. Steered towards approach
point for position line in AC 1991. 2
submarine silhouettes in 7351 and 5784,
probably Russian submarines.
26 August Commenced return passage from AC 4391
because of leak in leaded stern tube (bow-
c ap j ammo d ) .
Drifting mines, apparently Mark XX: on 21 July in A3 9192,
24 July in 9173, 25 July in 9311 (2 mines), 11 August in
5356, 12 August in 5534, 22 August in AC 1796, 23 August
in AC 4395, 26 August in 4677, all more or less rusted.
-1,328-
CONFIDENTIAL
Comments by Captain U-boats, Norway;
1. Unsuccessful operation against strongly escorted
convoy. Commander missed a chance to firo through
bad fire control. One hit possible on unidentified
unit.
2. Defensive procedure of search formations against T 5
torpedoes and 24 hours of depth charge pursuit
confirmed several times.
Captain U-boats, Norway Most Secret - 4332 - A Ops
-1,329-
•
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX I 1/4
COPY
Most Secret
Teleprinter messages
1. Emergency. Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C
U-boats Ops .
2. Emergency. Admiral Commanding U-boato .
3. Emergency. For information Naval War Staff, First
Division.
4. Emergency. For information 13th U-boat Flotilla.
Clear as multiple address message.
Most Secret.
Short report from U 565 (Wedeneyer ) fifth operation,
Tsecond in Northern Waters).
5 August 1944 Put out from Hammerfest.
25 August Put in to Hammerfest.
28 August Put in to Narvik.
12 August Reached attack area AT 64 via Hf 88.
Drifting mine in AC 4887 and another in
4947. Aircraft sighted in AC 7248. Before
reaching AT 1539, 8 locations intercepted
on "Fliege" and Borkumn . ,rWanzeu was out
of order. Possibly "Hohentwiel" operated
by the accompanying U 374.
12 August At 1705 in AT 6437 masthead and escort,
bearing 240°.. Submerged off 30 meter line
and ran in 6 miles under .water. At 1853
in AT 6434 fan-of-threc at a fully laden
transport (5 loading hatches) with 5 escort
boats (Diesel vessels of some 600 G.R.T.
without funnels ) , probably "Chapaov"
(3,560 G.R.T. ), course 060°. 1 hit
amidships. Engine out of action. At 1858
missed with T 5 torpedo on approaching
escort boats and steamers. At 1905 T 5
fired at approaching escort boat. Hit after
1 minute 32 second . Presume boat sunk:
1. Noise of screws stopped.
2. Later only 2 escort boats heard and seen.
-1,550-
CONFIDENTIAL
3. An escort boat dropped a fairway buoy at
the presumed scene of sinking and lay
there at anchor.
4. Drifting pinnaces which could not have come
from any other ship sunk.
5. Plight of the third escort boat.
6. Depth charges were not dropped until 40
minutes later: quite ineffective. On the
bottom in water 65 meters deep, reloaded
4 tubes. An escort boat lay at anchor
4 - 500 meters from us; this wo discovered
only after reloading. (Scene of sinking
of first escort boat with buoy).
At 2345 T 3 torpedo fired at anchored boat.
Hit after 44 seconds. Sinking observed
after 5 minutes . Last escort boat made
off at high speed beyond torpedo range in
a northeasterly direction.
13 August At 0104 finishing shot at steamer with no
extensive effect.
At 0123 second finishing shot with T 5
torpedo and at 0153 steamer sank. From 16
August onwards, inexperienced patrol vessels
and aircraft in the attack arc-a. - Otherwise
no sightings.
18 August . ...Commenced return passage, since one of the last
2 T 5 torpedoes could not be used as water
had reached it. No radio message received
as to the success and procedure. of the other
boats in the eastern operation. Last' sighted
U 739 in AT 3322 on 10 August.
22 August Proceeded at high speed to AC 4225 to
strengthen the patrol line against the PQ
convoy, *-
23 August At 0300 lay in AC 2783, At 0425 drove off
carrier-borne aircraft, 3*7 cm. gun functioned
well. Then proceeded under water until 1405
because of destroyers and "Catalinas".
24 August At 0120 in AC 5548 a destroyer on southwesterly
course. At 0310 submerged from 2 destroyers
and a carrier-borne aircraft firing rockets .
67 depth charges .
At 1650 commenced return passage from AC 5865.
At 1843 a destroyer, course 160°, high speed.
25 August At 1008 in AC 7231 enemy submarine, submerged.
Exp or lone os :
1. Kara Seat very strong layering. Inexperienced air and sea
patrols. Very seldom heard by control. Reception varying,
very long wave good.
-1,331-
CONFIDENTIAL
2. Searching destroyers proceeded in circles at 2 - 3 knots,
making a loud grating noise.
Comments by Captain U-boats, Norv/c., ;
Well-executed special operation. Although the commander
had few torpedoes left, he was sent to intercept the PQ,
convoy with the other boats. Successes: 1 freighter
("Chapaev11 class (?) 3,560 C.R.T.) and 2 escort boats sunk.
Captain U-boats, liorway Most Secret - 4457 - A Ops.
-1,332-
CONFIDENTIAL
ArPE:.L'IX Il/5
■ COPY
• lost Secret
Teleprinter message:
1'. Emergency. Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C
U-boats Ops.
2. Emergency. Admiral Commanding U-boats.
3. Emergency. For information Naval War Staff, First
Division.
4. Immediate. For information 13th U-boat Flotilla.
Clear as multiple address message.
Most Secret,
Short report from U 711. (Langc), continuation of
seventh operation.
22 August 1944 Put out from Hammerfest.
26 August Put in to Hammerfest.
28 August Put in to Narvik.
22 August Ceased passage to Kara Sea and operated
on the PQ convoy reported by "Pietsch" and
the German Air Force in AB 3818 and AB
6435.
At 0430 in AC 7251, submerged from an
aircraft /bearing 140°, range 10,000
meters. Run in, type not recognized.
After receiving radio message 0948, boat
joined group "Trutz" and occupied AC 4252
,irr the patrol line. From 1943 proceeded
at maximum speed to new patrol line AC
. 2546 to 2785.
23 August . At 0345 reached patrol line. At 0426 met
''Wo'dexaayer'1 • Carrier-borne aircraft,
medium altitude, range 12,000 meters,
submerged unobserved. .edemeyer" remained
on' the surface. At 0455 "Swordfish" circled
• over presumed diving position of "Wodemoyor'1.
Made off to the northeast under water to
evade the escorts which would surround the
observed diving position.
At 0650 in AC 2729 2 mastheads, bearing
004°, simultaneously broad band hydrophone
bearing.
-1,335
CONFIDENTIAL
'^ * " " ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ^ ■ w
At 0655 3 carricr-borno aircraft above
approaching formation, course. 150°. At
0703 a battleship or heavy cruiser with high
foremast, one thick funnel with cap, enemy
bow right.,, .angle .1.5°, zig-zagging by 20°
every 20 minutes; 8 destroyers providing
close and more remote escort to starboard,
port and on the port bow, all "Churchill"
class. At 0720 F.A.T. fan-of-two fired at
heavy unit, as 1 tube was not functioning.
Range 3-, 000. -.3,500 meters, speed 11 knots,
enemy bow right, angle 80°. Torpedo
explosion after 8 minutes 45 seconds. Heavy
unit drew in the escort and. set flag signal.
Destroyers of the port escort formed up.
Close starboard escort dropped to starboard.
At 0728 T 5 fired at third destroyer of the
starboard escort, range 1800 meters, enemy
bow right, angle 150°, enemy speed 14 knots,
tube-runner immediately -on leaving the- mine
discharge. Loud torpedo explosion after 8
minutes 32 seconds , high explosion column
from the target ,' which immediately dropped
astern, forecastle well above water. At
0741 destroyer sank, at a distance of 4,000
meters. At 0742 starboard forward escort
dropped depth charges.
From 0800 to 1145 strong air activity over
the formation. 5 "Swordf ish", . 1. "Catalina" .
Destroyers dropped depth charges and we
-made 'off at periscope depth. ...At. 1235
surfaced in AG 2726 and reported. Carrier-
borne aircraft, bearing 192° (wide),
unobserved.
At 1330 submerged from a carrier-borne
aircraft which ran in from a distance of
1,800 meters, high altitude. From 1433
hauled ahead at maximum speed level 'with
the convoy outside tho close air escort.
Contact with carrier-borne aircraft-. At
1630 carrier-borne aircraft in southwest,
unobserved." At 1932 in AC 2972 2 carrier-
borne aircraft in southwest, range 12,000
meters, unobserved.
24 August At 0407 in AC 6238 carrier-borne aircraft,
bearing 270°, range 12", 000 meters,
unobserved. At 1037 in AC 9177 carrier-
borne aircraft in the north, by dead
reckoning ahead of the convoy. At 1058
submerged to listen out: various hydrophone
bearings in north and northwest. No details.
From 1500, searching courses. From' 1857
operated on destroyer reported by "Brunner"
• in AC 5868. Red stars fired to attract
attention, noted in "Brunner" 'a report.
-1,334-
CONFIDENTIAL
25 August At 0135 in AC 5856 destroyer, bearing 265°,
range 9,000 meters, southeasterly cours
turned towards. At 0145 3ubm 1 to
attack; at 0155 T 5 torpedo fired at
approaching destroyer, firing angle 20°,
but torpedo ran straight course on 35°,
miss. Destroyer stopped, turned to
starboard, enemy bow left, angle 90° ,
range 2,500 meter:;. At 0158 destroyer
started up in with speed, turn
towards; T 5 torpedo fired with action
sotting, dived to 2a + 20, torpedo
explosion after 6 minutes 20 seconds.
1 minute later second explosion and loud
sinking noises. Operated on increasingly
loud hydrophone bearing in the north.
At 0305 surfaced and proceeded towards
hydrophone bearing in the north. At 0608
ordered to return.
26 August At 0629 in AC 4896 a surfaced Russian
submarine, Type ,?3", range 5,000 meters,
not observed in this visibility, submorged
to attack. At 0641 stern T 5 torpedo
fired at submarine, enemy bow left, angle
90°, enemy speed 10 knots, range 2,000
meters. Aftor 9 minutes 46 seconds
torpedo explosion, no hydrophone bearing.
At 0700 surfaced and approached stopped
submarine which started up at high speed,
made off and. disappeared in rain squall.
At 0738 no results from hydrophone
searching courses, oil patch at torpedoing
position, torpedo directed correctly
according to hydrophone bearing. Failure
could not be explained.
Comments by Captain U-boats, Norw y :
Ideal convoy operation which led to the commander
receiving the Knights' Cross.
Successes: 2 destroyers sunk, 1 hit on heavy unit, 1
unexplained ineffective hit on Russian submarine Type ''S11 .
Captain U-boats, Norway Most Secret - 4458 - A Ops.
-1,335-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX IIl/l
COPY
.
Secret
Captain U-boats , Norw
Serial No. Most Secret
S.O.-s only 124/44 A Ops
On board, 19 August, 1944.
Operational Order for TJ 705 (Brunner) ,
iperation "Edelweiss".
I. Task;
1. Escorting of coastguard ship No. 6 ( "Kehdingen" )
from Tromso to the ice limit.
2. Laying of the meteorological buoy3 Nos . 132 and
133.
II- Enemy position:
1. Russian convoys are not likely at present, but
carrier formations may appear at any time. Last
operation was on 16 and 17 July, the attack on
Altafjord ( "Tirpitz" ) .
2. Air patrol: Prom 17 to 22 July anti-submarine
patrol flown by strong forces of "Liberators",
"Catalinas" and "Sunderlands" as far as approximately
15° E and 72° N. Occasionally, flying boats were
also observed off Ice Fjord. No aircraft v/ere
observed on Jan Mayen this year. Also see
Northern Waters Directions Ho. 30.
3. No new information is available on Iceland.
Expect shore location, patrol vessels and strong
air patrol.
III. Own forces :
(a) U-boats : Group "Trutz" with 5 boats in attack
areas, depth of sweep 50 miles: U 344 (Pietsch)
AB 5464, U 668 (v. Eickstedt) AB 5645, U 394
(Borger) AB 5967, U 363 (Nees)AB 6795, U 997
(Lehmann) AB 9189. Avoid strong air patrol by
taking evasive action as far as the latitude of
Bear Island.
Group "Grcif" with 6 boats in the oast: U
(Schaar), U 711 (Lange), U : (Franze), U 362
(Franz), U 365 (Wedemeycr) , U 739 (Mangold).
Special operations: U 307 (Hcrrlo) off the west
coast of Spitsbergen, U 354(Sthamer) procooding
from Tromso to the north.
Radio messages to "Kent" have no importance for
the others.
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CONFIDENTIAL
(b) Gorman Air Force ; Daily meteorological flights from
Trondheim to Jan .May en and Banak to Baar Island.
Further activity of aircraft and naval forces will
be announced.
IV. Execution;
1. Move from Narvik *• Bogen to TromsB as soon as the
meteorological buoys arc transferred from Carinthia
and the method of laying has been practised.
Report time of sailing promptly ,on "MC" . Proceed
on route "Rot" at increased speed. Pilo't from
LBdingen as far as TrornsB.
2. Arrange anchorage at TromsB -with the Naval Harbor
Master. Rep-ort to Admiral Polar Coast along with
the- commander of coastguard ship No. 6 ("Kphdingen")
which is lying in Ramf jord.
3. Put out from TromsB as quickly as possible with
"Kehdingen" . Escort provided by 2nd Inshore
Defenses Unit via point "II". Codeword for sailing
has already been received by Naval Chief Command,
Norway.
4. Escort "Kehdingen" via A3 3840 to AA 3490 as far as
the ice limit. Leave "Kehdingen" there and for 2
more days stand on and off the ice limit.
5. Procedure in U-boat escort:
(a) Escort leader is the commander of the U-boat.
(b) U-boat will normally steer astern of the
escorted ship within signaling range. Signal
traffic, particularly the fast but unobtrusive
transmission of enemy sightings, should be
practised.
(c) A rendezvous is to be arranged daily for the
following morning at 0800, in case contact is
lost through bad weather or encounters with the
enemy.
(d) In encounters with the enemy, it is vital that
the type of ship and fact that she is escorted
by a U-boat should not be discovered. The boat
will therefore, submerge unobserved and watch
through the periscope. The ship should steer
a dummy course or try to draw the enemy naval
forces across the U-boat diving position, so
that the boat can attack. If an enemy aircraft
attacks, the boat should surface if possible to
give help. If there is no more danger,. the ship
will indicate by 3 echoes on the echo-sounder
that the boat may surface. After every
encounter with the enemy, the rendezvous will
. be 20 miles from the diving position in the
direction of the course last steered.
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CONFIDENTIAL
(e) In the event of damage or inability to
maneuver, vessels will render mutual
assistance and if possible attempt a tc
In case of emergency, the boat will
report by radio.
(f) Encounters with U-boats will, if possible,
be avoided. If an unknown submarine is
sighted, it is to be regarded as hostile
until the correct recognition signal is given.
6. Then proceed unobserved to lay the meteorological
buoys: No. 133 in 64°N, 15° W and No. 132 in 76° N,
51° E. More exact details on the advice of the
accompanying Inspector Ernst. Remain unobserved
at the expense of loss of speed. Certainty of
location close in to the coast.
Report laying of buoys on frequency "Anton" by
short signal affixing your series number, once you
are sufficiently far from the spot. (Series No.
153 from AE 61) .
7. Proceed on the Great Circle unless meanwhile
ordered to put in at Narvik to replenish.
8. After laying the meteorological buoys, you are-
free to attack valuable targets in the area.
9. Return to Hammcrfcst after laying both meteoro-
logical buoys.
10. Operations always possible against reported enemy
forces . Otherwise procedure in accordance with
Operational Order No. 15.
V. Communications arrangements :
..Ul 1 ■ ■ I ■ T - - - — — -^ - — — ■ — - - - — .-
Frequency "Anton I" from Lodingcn until the
reporting of passing point HH" , then independently
on U-boat Northern Waters frequency. Listen to
very long wave routine from Narvik.
VI. Equipment for 6 weeks, 80 cubic meters fuel, 5 T5
and 5 electric torpedoes. Roller for buoys.
p.p. Roche.
-1,338-
CONFIDENTIAL
A. -:-.jIX III/2
COPY
st Seer
Captain U-boats Norway On board, 28 August, 1944.
Serial No. Most Secret
S.O.s only 134/44 A Ops.
Operational Order for U 507 (Hcrrle),
operation "Hau": .i.
I. Task:
1. Escorting of coastguard ship No. 3 (:,BuschM) from
TromsB to Nor daust land and back.
2
To assist in setting up meteorological station
" Haudegen" .
II. Enemy situation:
1. After an interval of 3 months another PQ, convoy
(32) escorted by 2 carriers ran from 21 to 24
August. (Aircraft reported: "Swordf ish", "Corsairs",
"Catalinas" ) . Simultaneously a carrier formation
attacked the "Tirpitz" in Altaf iord. It consisted
of the battleship "Duke of York", carriers
"Formidable" and "Furious" and a fairly large
carrier of new construction, 2 cruisers of tho
"Kent" class and 7 destroyers. (Participating
types of aircraft: "Scafires", "Barracudas", and
".Martlets".) Forces are expected to return.
2. Air patrol: From 17 to 22 July air patrol was
flown by strong forces of "Liberators", "Catalinas"
and "Sundcrlands" as far as approximately 15° E
and 72° . Occasionally flying boats were also
observed off Ice Fjord.
3. In Ice Fjord there arc about 2 companies of
Norwegian - British anti-aircraft personnel.
North of there, occasional reconnaissance is to
be expected by armed motor vessels off the v/cst
and north coast. "Hcrrlc" will -have the latest
information himself.
III. Own forces :
(a) U-boat,3 : Group "Trutz" in attack areas, depth of
sweep 50 miles: U A 319, U 997
(Lchnann) AB 6387, U 563 | AB 681 ,
Group "Gr'cif" with 4 boa! ara i U 957
(Schaar). U 278 (Franze), U 362 (Franz), U 739
(Mangold; .
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CONFIDENTIAL
On 28 and 29 August group "Dachs" will put out from
Hammcrfcst with 6 boats via AC 51 for AC 69: U 956
(Mens), U 968 (Westphalen) , U 995 (Kchntopp), U 992
(Palke), U 636 (Schendel), U 425 (Bentzien).
Special operation; U 703 (Brunner) will oroceed
with "Edelweiss" on 28 August from TromsB via AB
3840 to AA 3490. ■
Radio messages to "Kent" -have no importance for the
others .
(b) German Air Force; Daily meteorological flights from
Trondheim to Jan May en and Banak to Bear Island.
Further details will be given on aircraft and
naval forces. The meteorological flights are
occasionally -extended to cover Spitsbergen.
(Ju 88s, BV 158sy FW- 200s ) . '
IV. Execution:
1. The crew is not to be informed of the type and aim
of the operation before leaving Tromso.
2. Proceed from Narvik to TromsB on receipt of order.
3. Arrange anchorage at TromsB with Naval Harbor
Master. Report to Admiral Polar Coast along with
the commander of coastguard ship No. 3 (Busch) which
is lying in Ramf jord.
4. Put out from TromsB with "Busch" on receipt of
codeword "Mondschein" from Naval Chief Command,
Norway* Escort as far as point "H" . From there,
escort "Busch" via A3 3840 and further at a distance
of 50 miles from the coast round West Spitsbergen
via North Cape from Nordaustland to Rijpf jord.
5. Procedure in U-boat escort:
(a) Escort leader is the commander of the U-boat.
(b) U-boat will normally steer astern of the
escorted ship within signaling range. Signal
traffic, particularly the fast but unobtrusive
transmission of enemy sightings, should be
practised.
(c) A rendezvous is to be arranged daily for the
following morning at 0800, in case contact is
lost through bad weather or encounters with
the enemy.
(d) In encounters with the enemy it is vital that
the type of ship and the fact that -she is
escorted by a U-boat should not be discovered.
The boat will therefore submerge unobserved and
watch" through the periscope. The ship should
steer a dummy course or try to draw the enemy
naval forces across the U-boat diving position,
so that the boat can attack. If an enemy
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CONFIDENTIAL
aircraft attacks, the boat should surface if
possible to give help. If there la no more
danger, the ship will indicate by 3 echoes on
the echo-sounder that the boat may surface .
After every encounter with the enomy, the
rendezvous will be 20 miles from the diving
position in the direction of the course last
s tee re .
(e) In the event of dam or inability to
maneuver, vessel 11 r r mutual assistance
and, if possible, attempt a tow. In case of
emergency," the boat will report by radio.
(f ) Encounters with U-boats will, if possible, bo
avoided. If an unknown submarine is sighted,
it is to be regarded as hostile until tho
correct recognition lal is ivcn.
6. Before "Busch" puts in to Rljpf jord, roconnoiter
the area, if possible by landing a scout unit.
While M Busch" discharges her cargo there, set up
a secondary camp in Walenbcrg Bay according to
tho directions of the leader of the meteorological
unit, Dr. Doge, with whose requests for assistance
you are to comply. If the ice situation or the
enemy prevents landing in the intended place, the
alternative plan is to proceed to the north sido
of West Spitsbergen. (Navigation report from
U 737 will be carried on board).
7. After the execution, return with "Busch", approach
route via TromsB to Narvik. Report passing of
point "H" from AB 23.
8. Operate on reported enemy forces only if given a
special order. Otherwise procedure in accordance
with Operational Order for Northern Waters U-boats
No, 15.
9. Before entering port, the crew is to be instructed
on the extreme secrecy of the operation even after
its execution.
V. Communications arrangements :
1. Frequency "Anton I" from Harstad as far as point
"Ii" , then independently U-boat Northern Waters
frequency.
2. Listen for very Ion; ro routine from Narvik.
3. Preserve radio silence except for reports which
are absolutely necessary for tho execution of th
operation or if observed by the enemy.
VI. Equipment for 6 weeks, 80 cubic meters fuel, 5 T 5
and 3 electric torpedoes. Reinforced rubber dinghy
with outboard motor, material for oocondary camp
(such as Dr. Doge desir,.s). Special chart .
p.p. Rechc.
-1,541-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX IV.
COPY
Most Secret
Teleprinter message:
1. Emergency. Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C
U-boats Ops..
2. Emergency. Admiral Commanding U-boats.
3. Emergency. For information Naval War Staff, First
Division.
4. Immediate. For information Naval Chief Command,
Norway .
5. Immediate. For information Luftflotte Command 5.
6. Immediate. For information Flieger Fuehrer 3.
7. Immediate. For information Flieger Fuehrer 5.
8. 11th U-boat Flotilla )
) by express letter.
9. 13th U-boat Flotilla )
Clear as multiple address message.
Most Secret.
Short report on the attack on PQ, 52 from 21 to 24
' A up; us t, 1944.
I« Course of the operation;
1. Did not operate on the fast' cruiser formation
reported by the meteorological aircraft on 20 August,
lost in the uncertain conditions, we. should betray
our formation if we surfaced. Convoy not expocted
after the interval of 3 months .
2. Convoy intercepted by chance in A3 5450 on the
morning of 21 August by the most northerly boat:
3 steamers sighted course 060°, speed 8 knots.
U 344 (Piotsch) sank an escorting destroyer of the
"Dido" class, v/hich was following the steamers.
3. 5 boats of group "Trutz" and 4 more boats cither
ready to sail or returning were sent to operat .
4. Intention: To assemble the boats in close attacking
formation ahead of the convoy, when ro-intorccptod
by air patrol or by U-boats. No surface engagements
-1,042-
CONFIDENTIAL
against the air escort because of the scarcity of
boats and the unreliability.: of the 3*7 cm. gun. As
long as there was any prospect of success, attacks
in accordance with Northern Waters Order No. 8.
5. Convoy located by air reconnaissance in AB 3770 on
the morning of 22 August, Then ordered patrol line
northeast of Bear Island..
6. Boats forced southwards by carrier-borne aircraft
from 1100 on 22 August, Patrol lino relinquished
in favor of independent hauling ahead.
7. On the afternoon of 22 August U 354 (Sthamcr) put
out and met a carrier formation off the coast north
of Alta and sank an auxiliary carrier.
8.- Gorman air reconnaissance abandoned owing to lack of
cloud cover and later temporarily canceled because
of high losses. The air reconnaissance intended
for the night of 23/24 August was also canceled, as
it could no longer be effective in the operation and
it would have served no purpose.
9. Convoy again intercepted in AC 1936 on the morning
of 23 August by U 594 (Borgcr) and continuously
reported - Commander made good use of the bearings
taken on the convoy's traffic.
10. U 711 (Lange) scored a hit on a heavy unit in AC
2729.
11. Boats were mostly kept west of tho convoy by strong
carrier-borne .forces of "Swordfish" and "Corsairs",
also "Catalinas5' . They were able to attack only the
destroyer search formations.
12. The operation was therefore abandoned in 72° N when
'the first land-based aircraft appeared. Return
passages convoy route searched.
lie Survey of the operation:
13.. The number of boats was low because of tho simultan-
eous operation in Kara Sea and the minelaying
operations by 6 boats ,
14. Due to lack of German air patrol In Northern Waters,
the convoy came as a surprise. The hauling ahead
for simultaneous unobserved attack by several U-boats
.was barred by strong enemy air cover in the almost
continuous daylight; thus there were no, prospects
of success against ships, as the convoy speed of 10
knots prevented the boats from hauling ahead again
independently. The attacks on heavy units were
mere chance.
15. From 2 convoy reconnaissance operations in which 6
BV 138 took part, 3 aircraft were lost, although
shadowing and homing signals were forbidden and the
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CONFIDENTIAL
flights were made with str< ng cloud cover.
Aircraft with more endurance are essential for
convoy reconnaissance. Without these, it is
doubtful if U-boat operations will bo successful.
16. U-boats report "Swordfish" aircraft operating with
rockets by the convoy, perhaps also "Catalinas11
and "Corsairs", Air defenses and strong destroyer
formations operating Lnst the main U-boat force
were increased, while the outer boats in the north
were less hampered. Shadower always summons
several more aircraft to the attack in a short
time. Smoke floats dropped at diving position.
17. Search formations of 2 destroyers and 2 frigat
observed curving constantly, speed not above 5
knots, often stopped. Several T 5 torpedo
failures. Depth charge pursuits for 24 hours.
18. Bearing on convoy radio traffic well exploited
for unobtrusive shadowin, .
19. Successes to dates
1 cruiser of the "Dido" class sunk,
1 auxiliary carrier sunk,
1 P.A.T. torpedo hit possible on heavy unit,
4 destroyers sunk,
1 hit on a destroyer)
1 hit on a frigate ) probably sunk
2 further hits possible on search formation.
20. Up to now we have not any confirmed losses, but
U 544 (Pietsch) and U 354 (Sthamer) have not
reported as requested.
III. Conclusions ;
21. In spite of the unfavorable situation, the U-boats
have scored substantial successes by showing
offensive spirit and making quick decisions.
The main object, the attack on the core of the
convoy, was not achieved owing to lack of recon-
naissance and because of the strong carrier escort.
22. Enemy is attempting to obviate earlier heavy
destroyer losses to T 5 torpedoes by employin
fairly strong air defenses and by cautious
procedure of the destroyers in the vicinity of
the U-boat. .
Captain U-boats, Norway Most Secret - 45-11 - A Ops.
-1,344-
CONFIDENTIAL
■ -
APPENDIX V/l
iviost Secret
Minelaying order for U 956, first operation ("Butt").
1. As si prune nt : Laying of minefield.
I, Southern part of Belushya Bay ("Butt I"):
71° 30 • 5 1 N, 52° 13' E.
71° 30-5* N, 52° 21» E.
71° 27.5' N, 52° 27-5' E.
71° 27-51 N, 52° 17' E.
Mines are to be laid from north to south on
varying courses in groups of 2 to 3 mines.
Distances between mines in the individual groups
to vary from 400 to 600 meters . No mines to be
laid in water exceeding 30 meters in depth.
or II. Southern entrance to Kostin Strait ("Butt II"):
Alternative area.
70° 54*5' N, 53° 02' E.
70° 57' N, 53° 11' E.
70° 52' N, 53° 23' E.
70° 50' N, 53° 13' E.
Mines are to be laid from northeast to southwest
on varying courses in groups of 2 to 3 mines.
Distances between mines in the individual groups
to vary from 400 to 600 meters. No mines to bo
laid in water exceeding 30 meters in depth.
2. Mining material;
12 TMC mines: 4 pressure magnetic, Type 1 (DM1).
4 magnetic acoustic, Type 2 (MA2).
4 magnetic acoustic, Type 3 (MA3).
Types to be mixed.
Clockwork sotting switch (UES): varying from 2 to
6 days .
Period delay mechanism (ZK): varying from 1 to 3
actuations .
Time setting (ZE): 80 days.
Safety distance (type TMC): 170 motors.
Mines have a special mechanism and become live after
2 to 6 days. Firing unit DM 1 must not fall into
enemy hands. Lay the various types of mines mixed
and load accordingly.
3. Execution:
Tho course on which the mines are to be laid, as shown
in the minelaying plan, is rcgardod as tho most
-1,345-
CONFIDENTIAL
favorable, but is not absolutely binding. It is essential
that the whole area should, if possible, be mined
irregularly observing the safety distance, unless
observation of traffic leads to the conclusion that
there arc fixed routes or mine gaps, in" which" "case a
more intensive minelaying is indicated. Preparations
must be made for laying the mines while submerged, in
case enemy patrols or shore observation do "not permit
minelaying ..while surfaced.
Assignment I was similarly carried "out by U 601 (Grau)
in 1943. (Sec War Diary). These mines arc no longer
active .
-1,346-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX V/2
lost Secret
Mine laying order for U 968, second operation ("Lachs").
!• Assignment : Laying of minefield.
I. Off Xanin Noa, .( "Lachs I"):
68° 44*5' N, 43° 9' E.
68° 39' N, 43° 8' E.
68° 39' N, 43° 16' E.
68° 44' N, 43° 23' E.
68° 40*5' N, 43° 23' E.
Mines are to be laid from south to north on
varying courses in groups of 2 to 3 mines.
Distances between mines in the individual groups
to vary from 300 to 500 meters.
No mines to be laid in water exceeding 30 meters
in depth.
or II. Northwest of Kolguev ("Lachs II" ) :
Alternative area.
69° 24' N, 47° 45' E.
69° 28' N, 47° 52' E.
69° 23*5' N, 48° 20' E.
69° 20' N, 48° 15' E.
Mines are to be laid from east to west on varying
courses in groups of 2 to 3 mines. Distances
between mines in the individual groups to vary from
400 to 600 meters. No mines to be laid in water
exceeding 30 motors in depth.
2. Mining material;
12 TMC mines: 4 pressure magnetic, Typo 1 (DM1).
4 magnetic acoustic, Type 2 (MA2).
magnetic acoustic, Type 3 (MA3).
Types to be mixed.
Clockwork setting switch (UES): varying from 2 to 6
days .
Period delay mechanism (ZK): varying from 1 to 3
actuations .
Time sotting (SE): 80 days.
Safety distance (typo TMC): 170 meters.
Mines have q spoeial mochanism and become livo aftor
2 to 6 days . Firing unit DM1 must not fall into
enemy hands. Lay the various typos of mines mixod and
load accordingly.
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CONFIDENTIAL
3. Execution:
For Assignment I steer to the .roa from the
north. Do not proceed further south than 68° 55' I .
For Assignment- T-I-- steer to the mir. i-ng : from the
northwest oast of 48° E, do not proceed north of 69° 30' N:
in the whole area do not proceed south of 69c -". as
mines laid there earlier may still be live..
The course on which the mines are to be laid, as shown
in the minelaying plan, is regarded as the most favorable,
but is not absolutely bindir. . It is essential that the
whole area should, if possible, be mined irregularly
observing the safety distance, unless observation of
traffic leads to the conclusion that there are fixed
routes or mine gaps, in which case a more intensive
minelaying is indicated. Preparations must be made for
laying the mines while submerged, in case enemy patrols
or shore observation should prevent minelaying while
surfaced.
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CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX V/O
)3t Secret
Minelaying order f or - U 995, third operation ("Merino").
1. Assignment : Laying of minefield.
I. Area off the western exit from Yuporski Strait
("Hering I") ;
69° 30' N, 59° 30» E.
69° 42-5' N, 59° 30' E.
69° 41' N, 59° 49' E.
69° 30 « N, 59° 49' . .
Mines are to be laid from north to south on varying
courses in groups. -of -2 to 3 mines. Distances
between mines in the individual groups to vary from
400 to 600 meters • No mines to be laid in water
exceeding 30 meters in depth.
or II. Area east of Matveev ("Hering II" ) :
Alternative area.
69° 30' N, 58° 52' E.
69° 38' N, 58° 52' E.
69° 38' N, 59° 12 « E.
69° 30' N, 59° 12' E.
Mines are to be laid from south to north on varying
courses in groups of 2 to 3 mines. Distances
between mines in the individual groups to vary from
400 to 600 meters. No mines to be laid in water
exceeding 30 meters in depth.
2. Mining material;
12 TMC mines: 4 pressure magnetic, Type 1 (DM1).
4 magnetic acoustic, Type 2 (MA2).
4 magnetic acoustic, Type 3 (MA3).
Types to be mixed.
Clockwork setting switch (UES): varying from 1 to 6
days .
Puriod delay mechanism (ZK): varying from 1 to 5
actuations .
Time setting (ZE): 80 days.
Safety distance (typo TMC): 170 motors.
Mines have a special mechanic, id become live after 1
to 6 days . Firing unit DM1 must not fall into cnomy
hands. Lay the various types of mines mixod and load
accordingly.
-1,548-
CONFIDENTIAL
3, Execution:
The course on which the mines are to be laid, as shown
in the minelaying plan, is regarded as the most favorable,
but is "hot absolutely binding. It is essential that the
whole area should,, if possible, be mined irregularly
observing the safety. distance, unless observation of
traffic leads to the conclusion that there are .fixed
routes or mine gaps in which case a more intensive mine-
laying is indicated. Preparations must be. .ma.de. for
laying the mines while submerged, in case, enemy patrols
or shore observation should prevent minelaying while
surfaced.
Assignment I was similarly carried out by U 625 in 1943
(See War Diary). These mines have been made safe.
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CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX V/4
:.:ost Secret
Minelaying order for U 992, fourth operation ("Sprottef').
1. Assignment : Laying of minefield.
I« North of Kolg;uev ("Sprotte I" ) ;
69° 31' N, 48° 57' E.
69° 40* N, 48° 47' E.
69° 41' N, 48° 58' E.
69° 32*5! N, 49° 08' E.
Mines are to be laid from south to north on'
varying courses in groups of 2 to 3 mines.
Distances between mines in the individual groups
to vary from 400 to 600 meters . No mines to be
laid in water exceeding 30 meters in depth.
or II. Area north of Russki Zavorot ("Sprotte II" ) :
Alternative area.
69° N, 53° 25* E.
69° 08' N, 53° 25' E.
69° 11' N, 53° 39' E.
69° N, 53° 391 E.
Mines are to be laid from south to north on
varying courses in groups of 2 to 3 mines.
Distances between mines in the individual groups
to vary from 400 to 600 meters. No mines to be
laid in water exceeding 30 meters in depth.
2. Mining material;
12 TMC mines: 4 pressure magnetic, Type 1 (DM1).
4 magnetic acoustic, Type 2 (MA2).
4 magnetic acoustic, Type 3 (MA3).
Types to bo mixed.
Clockwork setting switch (UES): varying from 1 to
6 days .
Period delay mechanism (ZK): varying from 1 to 5
actuations .
Time sotting (ZE): 80 days.
Safety distance (type TMC): 170 meters.
Mines have a special mechanism and become live aftor
1 to 6 days. Firing unit DM1 must not fall into
enemy hands . Lay the various types of mines mixed and
load accordingly.
3. Execution:
For Assignment I, steer to the minelaying area from
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CONFIDENTIAL
the northeast. The line between the following points -
(i) 70° N, 49° E, (ii) 69°' 48' "'N, 49° E, (iii) 69° 45' N,
48° 35' E - and from there on 180° to the coast must not
be crossed to the west, as earlier mines may still be
live there. The course on which the mines are to be laid,
as shown in the minelaying plan, is regarded as the most
favorable, but is not absolutely binding. It""is
essential that the whole area should, _ if possible, be
mined irregularly, observing the safety distance, unless
observation of traffic leads to the conclusion that there
are fixed routes or mine gaps1 in which case a more
intensive minelaying is indicated. Preparations must be
made for laying the mines while submerged, in case enemy
patrols or shore observation should prevent minelaying
from the surface.
Assignment II was similarly carried out by U 629 (Bugs)
in 1943 (See War Diary), These mines have been made safe.
-1,351-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX V/5
Most Secret
Minelaying order for U 636, fifth operation ("Forelle").
1. Assignment; Laying of minefield.
I. Eastern exit from Pechora Bay ("Forelle I"):
68° 48-5' N, 57° 36' E.
68° 52-5' N, 57° 2*9' E.
68° 56*5' N, 57° 46' E.
68° 52*5' N, 57° 53'' E.
Mines are to be laid from southwest to northeast
on varying courses -in- -groups of 2 to 3 mines.
Distances between mines in the individual groups
to vary from 400 to 600 meters. No mines to be
laid in water exceeding 30 meters in depth.
or II. Area off the eastern exit from Pechora Bay
("Forelle II") :
Alternative area.
69° 06' N, 58° 09' E.
69° 06' N, 57° 45' E.
69° 12' N, 58° 15' E.
69° 12' N, 57° 51' E.
Mines are to be laid from south to north on
varying courses in groups of 2 to 3 mines.
Distances between mines in the individual groups
to vary from 400 to 600 meters. No mines to be
laid in water exceeding 30 meters in depth.
2. Mining material:
12 TMC mines: 4 pressure magnetic, Type 1 (DM1).
4 magnetic acoustic, Type 2 (MA2).
4 magnetic acoustic, Type 3 (MA3).
Types to be mixed.
Clockwork setting switch (UES): varying from 1 to 6
days .
Period delay mechanism (ZK): varying from 1 to 3
actuations .
Time setting (ZE): 80 days.
Safety distance (type TMC): 170 meters.
Mines have a special mechanism and become live after
1 to 6 days. Firing unit DM1 must not fall into
enemy hands. Lay the various types of mines mixed
and load accordingly.
-1,352-
CONFIDENTIAL
3. Execution;
The course on which the mines are to be laid, as shown
in the minelaying plan, is regarded as the most favor-
able,, but is not absolutely binding. It is essential
that the whole area 'should, if -possible, be mined
irregularly, observing the safety distance, unless
observation of traffic leads to the conclusion that
there are fixed routes or mine gaps, in which case a
more intensive minelaying is indicated. Preparations
must be made for" "laying -the mines while . submerged, in
case enemy patrols or shore observation should prevent
minelaying while surfaced.
Assignment I was similarly carried out by U 629 (Bugs)
in 1943 (See War Diary). These mines have been made safe.
, • I:
...
-1,353-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX V/6
Most Secret
Mine laying order for U 425, sixth operation C'Dorsch" ) .
1. Assignment ; Laying of minefield.
I. Western exit from Pechora Bay ("Dorsch I" ) :
68° 54' N, 55° 43' E.
69° 02' N, 55° 31' E.
69° 02' N, 55° 37' E.
68° 54' N, 55° 50' E.
Mines are to be laid -from south to north on varying
courses in groups of 2 to 3 mines. Distances
between mines in the individual groups to vary
from 400 to 600 meters. No mines to be laid in
water exceeding 30 meters in depth.
or II. Area at the western exit from Pechora Bay
("Dorsch II" ) ;
Alternative area.
69° 4«5' N, 55° 12' E.
69° 10' N, 55° 12» E,
69° 10' N, 55° 34' E.
69° 04-5' N, 55° 34' E.
Mines are to be laid from south to north, on
varying courses in groups of 2 to 3 mines.
Distances between mines in the individual groups
to vary from 400 to 600 meters . No mines to be
laid in water exceeding 30 meters in depth.
2. Mining material;
12 TMC mines: 4 pressure magnetic, Type 1 (DM1).
4 magnetic acoustic, Type 2 (MA2).
4 magnetic acoustic, Type 3 (MA3).
Types to be mixed.
Clockwork setting switch (UES): varying from 2 to
6 days .
Period delay mechanism (ZK): varying from 1 to 3
actuations .
Time setting (ZE): 80 days.
Safety distance (type TMC): 170 meters.
Mines have a special mechanism and become live after
2 to 6 days. Firing unit DM1 must not fall into
enemy hands. Lay the various types of minos ml -d
load accordii
-1,354-
CONFIDENTIAL
3. Execution:
The course on which. the mines are to be laid, as shown
in the minelaying plan, is regarded as the most favor-
able,, but is not absolutely binding. It is essential
that the whole area should, if possible, be mined
irregularly, observing the safety distance, unless
observation of traffic leads to the conclusion that
there arc fixed routes or mine gaps, in which case a more
intensive minelaying is indicated. Preparations must be
made far laying the mines while submerged, in case enemy
patrols or shore observation should prevent minelaying
while surfaced.
Assignment II was similarly carried out by U 586
(v.d. Esch) in 1943 (Sec War Diary). These mines have
meanwhile been made safe.
"
-1,355/6/7-
CONFIDENTIAL
WAR DIARY
OF
CAPTAIN U-3QATS, NORWAY
1 - 15 SEPTEMBER, 1944
PG/51865,
CONFIDENTIAL
1 September, 1944.
A. Enemy situation:
I, Air reconnaissance:
Flieger Fuehrer 3;
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance, route
Banak - Bear Island - Banak from 1100 to 1445,
nothing to report, exhaustive.
2 BF 109 on visual reconnaissance in the Fisher
Peninsula and Kola inlet area a3 far as Polyarno
from 0920 to 1100, no shipping traffic.
Flieger Fuehrer 4:
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance in the
area west of the Faeroes from 0445 to 1420.
Northern part examined, no shipping observed.
Flieger Fuehrer 5:
1 He 111 on meteorological reconnaissance to Jan
Mayen from 0504 to 0927. Assignment abandoned in
AF 1536 at 0715 because of insufficient cloud
cover. Route 70^ examined, , enemy not sighted.
II . Reports on the enemy:
(a) By U-boats :
2 aircraft sighting reports from U 363 (Nees),
aircraft and minesweeper sighting report from
U 957 (Schaar),
submarine sighting report from U 394 (Borger),
report of patrol vessels from U 703 (Brtinner).
( b ) By air reconnaissance :
Berth at Pumanki occupied by 3 M.T.B.s and
2 probable fast motor minesweepers or supply
boats . ,
At 0725 In AE 9834 3 destroyers, westerly
course, speed 25 knots.
(c) By naval forces : None.
(d) By radio intercept service:
Lively radio transmissions of first priority
to all naval forces in Northern Waters,
Balushya to Dikson and Khabarova, from Dikson
to Archangel and Belushya, from Archangel to
Kola, to flotilla leader "Baku" via Polyarno
and to minesweeper No. 119 via Dikson.
Iokanka area: 1 minesweeper and 1 ice-breaker.
-1,358-
CONFIDENTIAL
Gor.lo. .. St'rait/Arc-hangel area; 1 guardship and 2
guardboats .
Belushya/Kara Sea area: 1 guardship and J.
minesweeper.
Britain: no unit 3 intercepted in the Murmansk/
Archangel area.
(e) 3y G.I.S. stations: None.
B. U-boats :
III. J-boat -positions and alterations of position:
(a) Positions at 0800;
Group "Trutz":
U 394 A3 5680 )
U 997 A3 65 ) operating against an enemy
U 363 A3 68 ) format ion.
Group "Greif" :
U 278 AT 67 )
U 362 AT 56 ) on passage.
U 739 AT 63 )
Group '?Dachs'7:
m-^m^m^*~*w ■ ■ ■ ■ i n ■!■■■
U 425 AC 69 J'~
U 636 AC 69 )
U 995 AC 69 )
U 956 AC 68 ) on Passage.
■ U 968 AC 68 )
U 992 AC 68 )
U 703 AA 34 on special operation.
In port:
— ^— .^^1^ HI— I
U 668, 965 Hammerfest,
U 307 Tromso,
U 312, 365, 711, 921 Narvik,
U 387, 737 Trondheim,
U 313, 716 Bergen.
(b) U-boats homeward and outward bound:
U 315 proceeding from Trondheim to Narvik.
U 957 on return passage from Kara Sea to
Hammerfest .
U 363 .on return- passage from A3 68 to
Andf jord - Narvik.
U 997 on return passage from A3 63 to
Andf jord - Narvik.
1600 U 965 put out from Hammerfest for Tromso.
IV. Current U-boat operations :
( a ) Convoy operations : None .
-1,359-
CONFIDENTIAL
(b) Operational measures to intercept enemy
traffic:
3 boats operating against an enemy formation.
3 boats in attack areas in Kara Sea.
The 3 remaining boats in group "Trutz" sent
further reports on the westbound enemy units.
0315 Short signal 0248/789 received from U 394
(Borger) :
"Traffic audible and exact bearing of 106°
taken on convoy radio wave. I.ly position is
approximately AB 5682. 0200."
0740 Short signal, 0500/790 received from U 353
(Nees ) :
"Carrier-borne aircraft (with southerly
course) in AB 6761."
1104 Short signal 1004/794 received from U 363
(Nees).: '.
"Carrier-borne plane(s) in A3 9133."
1650 Radio message 1553/702 received from U 394
(Borger) :
"Naval grid square 8258. Last location at
0315 in grid square 5913. Bearing 091°.
Presume forces have made a diversion, as we
were sighted by an enemy submarine at 0445
(2 clear thick periscopes) in grid square
- 59 43. No hydrophone bearings."
3 boats of group "Greif" in Kara Sea.
1 boat on return passage.
0024 Radio message 18.58/786 received from U 957
(Schaar) :
"Since 24 August, eastern route patrolled by
minesweepers and up to 4 "Catalinas" (not
carrying radar sets). On 29 August, 5
minesweepers of type. "Wedemeyer , easterly
course, presumably as convoy escort.
Matissena and Russki: drift ice. Bad ice
year. ''
1745 Radio message 0320/704 received from U 957
■ (Schaar) :
"Request :
1. Permission to leave boat at Hammerfest for
immediate fitting-out for continuation of
prepared assignment. More details by
telephone .
-1,360-
CONFIDENTIAL
2. If possible, an aircraft to confer with
"Llent" , "Petrow", Naval Communications
Officer and lighthouse keeper.
3. Speeding-up of "Greif"'s approach....5'
Para. 3 of the radio message was not entirely
readable, but it was assumed that MSchaar"
considered it necessary in the light of some
special information to occupy the hew position
line as quickly as possible.
2115 Radio message 2055/707 was therefore sent:
"Group "Greif " : increased speed. 3e in
position line 1 from AS 1982 to- 4331 by 0600
on 5 September."
Radio intercept reports on the traffic in
Pechora Sea and the approaches to Kara Sea were
passed on to groups "Greif" and "Dachs".
(c ) Special operations by single boats:
1. U 703 (Brunner) as c-scort for coastguard
ship No. 6 (Xehdingcn) for operation
"Edelweiss".
2. Group "Dachs" proceeding to carry out
minelaying operations in Pechora Soa,
1132 Radio message 0906/795 received from U 703
(Brunner) :
" "Kehdingen" observed by a patrol vessel
(of roughly the U.S. "Northumberland" type)
in AA 3414 at 0530. Made off to the northwest.
2 T5 torpedo failures, explosion. Patrol
vessel following a northwesterly course through
thick drift-ice.' I am holding- on."
1219 Radio message 1151/796 sent:
" "Brunner" from Captain U-boats.
"Edelweiss" reported at 1011:
"Attacked by surface forces in AA 2643. Attempt
to give help.1'
1226 Radio .message 1155/797 sent:
11 "Brunner" from Captain U-boats.
"Edelweiss" reported at 1025:
U-boat attack probably failed. Am being
pursuedi Attempting to reach South Koldewey."
-1,361-
CONFIDENTIAL
1256 Radio message 1154/799 received from U 703
( Br tinner ) :
"Cannot proceed further in AA 2662. At 1120
the vessel disappeared westwards."
Thus the success of operation "Edelweiss"
was endangered.
(d) Miscellaneous s
Sailing orders for U 711 (Lange) and U 921
(Werner), see Appendix l/l,2.
V. Reports of successes; None.
C. Surface forces: Nothing to report.
D. Organizational :
1135 Teleprinter message Admiral Commanding U-boats
Secret 5309 received;
"With effect- from 1 September, U 1003 (Stubing)
of 31st U-boat Flotilla and U 1200 (Mangels) of
8th U-boat Flotilla are again seconded for duty
to 11th U-boat Flotilla.
From tho same date, U 278 (Franze) and U 312
(Nikolay) of 11th U-boat Flotilla are seconded
for duty to 13th U-boat Flotilla."
E • Survey of the situation:
1100 Teleprinter message Most Secret 4459 A Ops:
"U-boat situation in Northern Waters on 1
September:
1. Number of Northern Waters boats reduced through
losses to 26.
2. Effective attack of further PQ convoys in
September impossible ov/ing to lack of boats,
as there are simultaneous operations by
groups "Greif" and "Dachs" and 3 meteorological
operations which it is considered must be
carried out.
3. As the best chance for attacking convoys is
at present in Northern Waters, request
reinforcements up to a total of 36 boats or
at least 32, as has already been achieved.
4. Suggest temporary allocation of 10 Atlantic
boats to help out."
(Signed) Suhren.
-1,362-
CONFIDENTIAL
September, 1944.
A. Enemy situation:
I. Air reconnaissance;
Flieger Fuehrer 5:
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance, route
Banak - AG 4461 - 1877 - Banak from 0400 to 0706,
exhaustive, nothing to report.
Flieger Fuehrer 4:
1 Ju 188 on meteorological reconnaissance in the
area west of the Faeroes from 0502 to 1145.
Thorshavn examined. 2 Red Cross ships of 10-15,000
G.R.T. and trawlers at anchor, otherwise nothing to
report .
Flieger Fuehrer 5:
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance to Jan
Mayen from 0500 to 1032. Assignment abandoned in
AB 7760 at 0755 because of insufficient cloud cover,
enemy not sighted. Route 80$ examined.
IL« Reports on the enemy:
(a) By U-boats :
T1
_ ■
Aircraft sighting report and convoy location
from U 594 (Bcrger).
(b) By air reconnaissance:
Thorshavn: 2 Red Cross ships of 10-15,000- G.R.
and trawlers .
(c) By naval forces : None.
(d) By radio intercept service:
From 1300 to 1700 urgent radio messages from
Archangel via Iokanka to naval forces in
Northern Waters and the White Sea, also
between Dikson and Belushya.
Frc.m 0806 to 2030 on 1 September radio messages
from Archangel to all naval forces in Northern
Waters and the White Sea and minesweeper No.
119, also between Dikson and Belushya.
Codeword of first priority from Polyarno to
all naval forces in Northern Waters.
Iokanka area: 2 min epers .
Gorlo Strait/Archangel area: 2 guardships, 3
minesweepers, 3 guardboats .
-1,363-
CONFIDENTIAL
B.
III.
0450
1030
1730
2245
0044
Britain: no units intercepted in the Polyarno/
Archangel area.
At 0030, 0040 and from 0235 to 0450 on 2
September, British radio traffic, no bearings.
At 1840 on 1 September Svanvik obtained a
bearing of 258° on a British unit.
In answer to the query whether "Lango"'s
hit on the Russian submarine on 26 August
had been mentioned in Russian radio traffic,
Main Naval d/F Station Kirkenes sent
teleprinter message Most Secret 00103 at
1032:
"Attack .on Russian submarine on 26 August not
mentioned on radio."
( e ) 3y G.I.S. stations : None .
U-boats ;
U-boat positions and alterations of position:
(a) Positions at 0800:
Group "Grclf":
-- U 278 AS 40 )
U 363 AS 40 ) on passage.
U 739 AS 40 )
Group "Dach£:?:
U 425 )
U 636 )
U 95g j in the operational area AT 70.
U 968 )
U 992 )
U 703 AA 26 on special operation.
In port;
U 668 Hammcrfcst,
U 307, 965 TromsB,
U 312, 365, 711, 921 Narvik,
U 387, 757 Trondheim,
U 315, 716 Borgon.
(b) U-boats homeward and outward bound:
U 965 put in to TromsB, at 1300 put out from
Tromso for Narvik.
U 363 put in to Harstad from AB 68, put out
at 1100 and put in to Narvik at 1700.
U 921 put out from Narvik, at 2200 put in to
Harstad, at 2345 put out again for A3 65.
U 997 put in to Narvik from AB Qi ■
U 394 on return passage from AB 68 to Harstad.
-1,364-
CONFIDENTIAL
U 957 on return passage from Kara Soa to
Hammcrf ost .
U 315 proceeding from Trondheim to Narvik.
IV. Current U-boat operations:
(a) Convoy operations; None.
(b) Operational measures to intercept enemy traffic:
3 boats in attack areas in Kara Sea.
0405 Radio message 0044/712 received from U 394
(Borger ) t
"In grid square 8876 enemy aircraft activity
by night. Convoy location 204°. No hydrophone
bearing. Commenced return passage....'
1255 Radio message 1144/718 sent:
"Bearing' reports on convoy radio frequency by
11 Borger" were good and offer new prospects
for intercepting" convoys and hauling ahead
without air cover.. .However, differentiate
between bearing and location. All other boats
are being fitted with intermediate wave D/F
sets .".
1632 Radio message 1511/722 sent;
Group ''C-reif" :
"1. Proceed from position line 1 to position-
line 2 from XA 7182 to 7431: be there by
0600 on 5 September. "Mangold'1 is permitted
to proceed by coastal route according to
the visibility.
2. "Lange" observed "Catalina" from Dikson via
AS 5145 to 1938 on the sea route, then on
a straight course for Dikson. Passed
Wardropcr Island at approximately 1700.
When "Lange" was detected there, he
observed 3 "Catalinas" and 1 minesweeper
on reconnaissance."
The boats then searched the outer shipping
route as far as north of Yermak Bank.
( c ) Special operations by single boats :
6 boats on minelaying operations in Pechora
Sea.
1 boat in support of operation "Edelweiss".
1153 " Radio message 1141/717 sent:
"'"Brurmer": remain temporarily in that area
to attempt interception of enemy."
-1,365-
CONFIDENTIAL
At the request of Naval Chief Command, Norway,
the U-boat was to wait until 6 September for
coastguard ship "Kehdingen", which was being
chased by the U.S. patrol vessel, or, if
possible, was to intercept the patrol vessel.
V. Reports of successes: None.
C . Surface forces:
Nothing to report.
D. Plans ;
1415 Teleprinter message Naval Chief Command, Norway
Most Secret 057 to Luftflotte 5 received:
"it is intended to alter the outward route for
"Haudegen" to east of Edge Island through Olga
and Hinlopen Strait. Request execution of
necessary ice reconnaissance on 4 September."
E. Organizational :
1356 Teleprinter message Naval War Staff, Second
Division, C^in-C U-boats Ops., Most Secret 5829/F2
received:
"In reply to Captain U-boats, Norway 4459 A Ops.
Most Secret of 1 September, Naval Chief Command,
Norway 1132/F1 S.O.s only of 1 September:
1. As they are relieved by Schnorehel boats
proceeding from Germany, 6 boats without
Schnorehel from Group Central will be
temporarily put under the command of Captain
U-boats, Norway.
2. Execution: Schnorehel boats putting out from
Kiel will carry out Schnorehel tests for some
3 days in Horten. When finished in Horten,
they will join group Central; simultaneously
a boat without Schnorehel will join the command
of Captain U-boats, Norw&- .
3. Supervision of relief for 2. by Naval Chief
Command, East I and in agreement with Captain
U-boats, Norway, .Admiral . Commanding "U-boats,
5th U-boat Flotilla and Defense Group,
Operational Branch, Horten. Torpedoes to be
exchanged and any necessary orders to be given
in Trondheim. Length of term with group
Central depends on the choice of boats.
4. U 978 (Pulst). .and- U 485 (v. Morstein)
expected to be the boats and are ready in
Horten. Boats will receive an order from
C-in-C U-boats Ops. to remain in Horten and
will await further instructions from Naval
-1,366-
CONFIDENTIAL
.-.ief Cc. id, East, he next boat, U 200, will
put out : Kiel c
5. Admiral 5c .ding U-boats will control t.
perational allocation of the relevant s to
• >oats, r. n
F. Survey cf The- situation;
Re E;
''According to this ruling,- the trr.nsfer of t]
proposed new boats will depend entirel i the
supply of Schnorchel boats from Germany (conditions
of which cannot be foreseen from here, but ch
are known to be very uncertain) and upon their
training in ten. Thus the new Northern Waters
boats v/ill provisionally cone north s,ingly and at
varying intervals, of allocation will
not be completed by the next convoy run."
(Signed) Suhren.
KJ <J w ■_ v w - ^ — • — v — _ •
1 11 1 ■ ■ ■ 1 1 r 1— ~~ ^— ^^
A. Zr.emy situation;
I, Air reconnaissance: • •
i^liecer "uehrer 5:
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance, route
Banak - Be a:? Island - Bar. rbm 0405 to C538.
Abandoned in AC 4881 c to insufficient cloud
cover, enemy net sighted.
2 BF 109 c raphic reconnaissance of Kola
Bay from 0902 to 0944, No ship g in the Kola
inlet area or *.: t :"ski 3ay.
Fliee:er Fuehrer 4:
■ ■
1 Ju 163 in the area .vest of the Faeroes from 0601
to 1043.
II* -■- ." ~^~ = --'- '---'- ~--z~ •■''.' ■
(a) By U-boats:
Report on an attack on a southeastbound cc
2.5 (I :ien), see under IV (c).
(b) By air rdc: r.na i s s a nc e :
In Kola Bay bet : the south side of Murmans
inaya 1 large destroyer of the
"Patrc Savodsk" class, 2 probable escort vessels.
-1,567-
CONFIDENTIAL
11 Liberty freighters totaling approximately
77,000 G.R.T., 1 Lib. freighter of 7,000
G.R.T. in the dry dock. 5 freighters,
totaling approximately 10,500 G.R.T. , 2
coastal tankers, totaling approximately
1,000 G.R.T., 2 probable repair ships,
1 wreck (stern of a freighter), 1 coastal
freighter under construction, 5 coastal
freighters in the slips, 1 coastal lighter.
(c) By naval forces: None.
(d) By radio intercept service;
Radio messrges of first priority from Naryan
Mar to Archangel and Dikson, and from Amderna
and Belushya to Dikson for guardship No. 75
and minesweepers, from Archangel to all
forces in Northern Waters and the White Sea.
Iokanka area: 2 minesweepers , l'guardboat.
Gorlo Strait/Archangel area: destroyer
Titski" , 1 guardship, 4 guardboats .
Be lushy a/Kara- Sea area: 1 guardship, 3
minesweepers, 2 ice-breakers.
Britain: according to radio traffic, there
are no longer any enemy units in the north
of Northern Waters.
From 2109 to 0600 radio traffic on carrier
wave, signal strength still slight.
' Russia: on the afternoon and evening of 1
September lively air reconnaissance of the
Norwegian polar coast (8 aircraft).
(e) By G.I.S. stations: None.
B. U-boats : .
III. U-boat positions and alterations of position:
(a) Positions at 0800:
Group "Greif " :
U 278 AS 1950 )
U 363 AS 1990 ) on passage.
U 759 AS 1990 )
Group MDachsM :
U 425 )
U 636 )
U 995 ) in the" operational area
U 956 ) southeast of AC 69.
U 968 )
U 992 )
U 705 AA 26 on special operation.
-1,368-
CONFIDENTIAL
0200
1230
0000
1058
1900
IV.
1807
2209
In port;
U 668 Hammerf est,
U 307 .Tromso,
U 312, 363, 365, 711, 965, 997 Narvik,
U 387, 737 Trondheim,
U 313, 716 Bergen.
(b) U" boats homeward and outward bound:
■ ^"* ■!!■■■ miii ■ m i n ^ ■■ ^ ■»■■»■■ ■ ■n^.ai — ipw ■■ ,m i ■■■■ Mi ■ ,i ■ ■ > ^ ■■■■■■■i
U 965 put in to Narvik from Tromso.
U 957 put in to Hammerf est from Kara Sea.
U 992 commenced return passage to Hammerf est.
U 921 commenced return passage, at 2100 put
in to Narvik.
U 425 commenced return passage to Hammerf ost.
U 394 on return passage from AB 68 to Harstad.
U 315 proceeding from Trondheim to Narvik.
Current U-boat operations:
(a) Convoy operations : None.
(b ) Operational measures to intercept enemy traffic:
3 boats in attack areas in Kara Sea.
(c ) Special operations by single boats:
6 boats on minelaying operations in Pechora
Sea .
1 boat in support of operation "Edelweiss".
The first minelaying boat to report was U 425
(Bentzien) :
Short signal announced that U 425 ?s task had
been executed and that the boat was returning.
Radio message 1931/735 received from U 425
(Bentzien) :
"At 1108 on 2 September in AT 7585 2 misses
with T3 torpedoes in ah attack on southeast-
bound convoy."
The convoy's course could load to Pechora Sea,
where the northern exit had just been mined by
"Bentzien". It was to be hoped that the attack
had not been observed so that the other boats
of group "Dachs" would not encounter increased
anti-submarine forces.
(d) Miscellaneous :
As no further report had come in from U 394
(Borger), indeed the boat had not answered the
call to report, and since it should have put
in long ago,
radio message 2506/739 was sent:
" "Borger" : report position immediately."
-1,369-
CONFIDENTIAL
V. Reports of successes:
1855 Teleprinter message Most Secret 4489 A Or>s . sent
to Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-ih-C
U-boats Ops . :
"U 425 (Bentzien) reported operation- "Dorsch I"
executed."
C. Surface forces:
Nothing to' report.
D. Organizational?
' — ■ ■-- - i"i ■ n m ■
0100 Teleprinter message Admiral Commanding U-boats
Most Secret 7560 Order received:
"Prom the middle of September, be prepared to
receive Captain U-boats, West initially with
Staff of 8 officers.. Further personnel to be
provided by 11th U-boat Flotilla. Make necessary
preparations. Further instructions from Captain
U-boats, West. Separating line between Captain
U-boats, West and Captain U-boats ,. Norway will be
announced by Naval War Staff, Second Division."
ft
2355 Teleprinter message Naval Chief Command, East,
Operations Staff Ops. Most Secret 05651 received:
"At the end. of the Schnorchel exercises, U 978
(Pulst) will proceed to Egersund to relieve U 310
(Ley), while U 483 (v. Morstein) will proceed to
Stavanger to relieve U 293 (Klingspor) .
After transferring the operational order and
. Naval Chief Command, East S.O.s only 501, "Ley"
and "Klingspor" will proceed to Trondhcim to join
Captain U-boats, Norway on arrival.
"Ley" is directed to- carry out the testing of the
T.5 torpedoes by 22 September.
11th U-boat Flotilla will distribute the sailing
orders ."
E. Survey of the situation:
Re II (b): From the large merchant ships sighted
off Murmansk and later reported putting in to
Gorlo Strait, it would appear that PQ, 32 had
been composed of some 20 ships. The next return-
ing convoy can 'be assumed to be equally larg .
Re II (d) : The urgent message f an Mar. may
perhaps have something to do with a mine succoss
by "Bentzien" .
Re D. :
The first 2 relieving boats can thus be ezpectod
in Trondheim by the middle of Septemb the
earliest .
(Signod) Suhren.
-1,370-
CONFIP. AL
4 Se. t :. .oer, 10 .
-:-* s
ituation:
Air
rec
onnaissance :
Pile
£er
Fuehrer
5:
A.
I.
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance, route
Fanak - Bear Island - Banak from 0357 to 071 .
Outward route e ively examined; on retu:
flight no examination made because of measurement
otherwise Ling to report .
Fl i z r. e r Fuehr e r 4 :
: operations .
Flieger Fuehrer 5:
No operations because of warning of carrier.
II. Reports cr. oho ener::;
( a ) By ""J-1; :a~s : ."one .
(b) By air reconnaissance; Hone.
(c) By naval forces: None,
(d) By radio intercept service:
Radio messages of first priority:
Beluahya to Dikson and Archangel, Archangel,
Diksbn and ra to all naval forces in
] 3, Dikson to Archangel.
C-erlo Strait/Archangel area: destroyer
"Fr_ ', 2 minesweepers, 3 guardboats .
luahya/Kara Sea area: 1 guards line-
sv. ars, 1 guardboat.
Britain: no units intercepted in the Folyarno/
Archangel
Svanvik: British radio traffic (probably from
carrier) from 0652 to 0904 on 3 ober in
268° - 272°, from 0055 to 0421 en 4 September
in 261° - 253°.
(e) r;- ".-. I . S . 2~: \ . .. : Tone.
E . U-boats :
III. U-boat positions ar. .'. : Iterations of pqsio 1 :::;
(a) Posi- ■ s at ' ~ " D ;
Z-r -u .-.■•: if" :
U 278 AS 2449 )
U 362 A3 2485 ) on passage.
739 AS 2722 )
-1,371-
CONFIDENTIAL
1500
0120
2030
IV.
0231
Group "Dachs";
U 636 ) _ .,
•U 995 ) ln the operational area
U 968 ) southeast of AC 69.
U 703 AA 26 on special operation.
In port:
U 668, 957 Hammerfest,
U 307 TrorasB,
U 312, 363, 365, 921, 965, 997 Narvik,
U 387, 737 Trondheim,
U 313, 716 Bergen.
(b) U-boats homeward and outward bound:
U 315 put in to Narvik after open water
passage .from Trondheim.
U 711 put out from Narvik - Ramsund, at 1800
put in to Tromso.
U 425, 956, 992 on return passage from
Pechora Sea to Hammerfest.
U 394 on return passage from AB 68 to Harstad.
U 956 on return passage to Hammerfest.
Current U-boat o Derations:
- — - — - — _-_-___T_... nTM.l_.
(a) Convoy operations: None.
(b) Operational measures to intercept enemy
traffic:
3 boats in attack areas in Kara Sea.
Information gained from MSchaar",s report
was passed on to group "Greif" :
Radio message 0251/745 sent;
"Group "Greif":
Fairly large ships and convoys prefer the
open water route, independent vessels use the
coastal route and Matissena passage which is
an easier route in bad weather. All-round
lights burn on Kamenni, Morjevo, V/ardroper,
Ploski, Scott-Hansen, Mikhailovo (do not
approach here), Kravkova (new beacon),
Sterlegova (switched off). Islands and
coastal area uninhabited, only hunting hut .
Air reconnaissance m vident from tho
following callsigns transmitted simultaneously
on 500 meters : "Four rrr ' a Dikson,
figure. th rrr 111 = 4 Catalinas. Dikson
called shore stations and warships (4 letters),
s "www three ch ch ch."
-1,572-
CONFIDENTIAL
2158
V.
0135
VI.
0932
C.
D.
0215
Radio mesiagc 2006/75* sent:
roup "Greif":
1. It is known that Russians stop all traffic
as 'Soon as U-boats arc sighted or their
radio is heard. If any boat has already
used radio or been sighted east of Dikson,
it should proceed to ilF 80 and report position
in order to pretend it is returning.
2. After position line 2, meet for conference
on the situation off the north coast of
Kravkovo Island. Then take up lurking
position: "Mangold" with location north of
jrmak Bank* " Franz e" off Kravkovo, "Franz"
off Kar.inskovo. Look-out towards the island?
boats camouflaged.; action stations on
sighting the. enemy. Preserve radio silence.
After radio reconnaissance use long wave as
group frequency. Be sparing with fuel."
(° ) Special operations by single boats:
1. Group "Dachs" : 3 boats on minelaying
operations in Pechora Sea. 3 boats on
return passage.
2. U 703 in support of operation "Edelweiss".
Reverts of successes:
After receipt of the short signals reporting
execution and return passage, the following was
sent :
Teleprinter message Host Secret 4492 and 4507 to
Naval War' Staff, Second Division, C-in-C U-boats
Ops . :
"U 992 (Falke) reports assignment "Sprotte I" and
U 965 (Mohs) assignment "Butt I" carried out."
U-boat reports :
Teleprinter message U-boat base Hammerfest Most
Secret 398 received:
Report on situation in Ivara Sea for August, 1944
(U 957), see Appendix IlT.
Surface forces:
thing to report .
Plans :
Teleprinter, message received from Buedel, Banak
airport :
"He 111 and F.V 200 have been at readiness for days
-1,373-
CONFIDENTIAL
for the "Haudegen" end "Golds chmied" reconnais-
sance flights. From the middle of September the
ice situation may deteriorate. Request decision."
2040 Teleprinter message Naval Chief Command, Norway
Most Secret 0104 W/F received:
"Reference Naval War Staff, Second Division,
C-in-C U-boats Ops. A Ops. 2672/teleprinter
message of 26 August: Propose landing of a
meteorological unit on Bear Island and Spitsbergen
in 2 consecutive trips; on each, 2 men and
roughly 7 tons of equipment and gear, no bulky
goods . '
E' Survey of the situation:
Re VI;
!tFrom the radio intercept service and from
prisoners, "Schaar" had gained important
information on the situation in Kara Sea, laying
a firm foundation for further operations by
group "Greif " ."
(Signed) Suhren.
5 Se-ctonber, 1944.
A. Enemy situation:
I. Air reconnaissance:
Flieger Fuehrer 4:
1 Ju 188 on meteorological reconnaissance in the
area west of the Faeroes from 0503 to 1153.
North part examined, no shipping observed. At
0518 in AN 2368 Swedish ship "Oripsholra" on
southerly coui^ . At 0643 in AF 7477 Swedish
ship "Drottningholm" and 1 Red Cross ship on
easterly course .
Fliegcr Fuehrer 5:
1 He 111 and 1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnais-
sance to Jan Mayen. Of these, 1 He 111 intended
to operate from 0529 to 0710, abandoned the
mission in AF 5641 at 0615 owing to a technical
breakdown. The relieving Ju 88 operated from
0759 to 1451: route and eastern part of J
Mayen 90$ examined, enemy not si 1.
-1,374-
CONFIDENTIAL
II. Reports on the enemy;
(a) By U-boats: None.
(b) By air reconnaissance;
0710 In AE 9976 7 merchant ships and 5 patrol vessels
totaling 60,000 G.R.T., southwesterly course.
1012 In A? 7723 same ships as at 0645.
(c) By naval forces; None.
(d) By radio intercept service;
Radio messages of first priority sent from
Belushya to Dikson, Dikson to Belushya and to
all naval forces in Northern Waters via
Archangel.
Polyarno to guardship No. 75 and minesweeper
No. 54.
Iokanka area: 2 minesweepers, 2 guardboats .
Gorlo Strait/Archangel area: destroyers "E'1
and "Uritski", 4 guardships, 5. minesweepers , 3
guardboats .
Belushya/Kara Sea area: 3- minesweepers .
Dikson area: 1 BO-boat, 1 ice-breaker,
Britain: no units intercepted in the Polyarno/
Archangel area.
( e ) By G.I.S. stations,: None .
B. U-boats:
III. U-boat positions and alterations of position;
(a) Positions at 0800;
Group "Groif":
U 278 XA 7182 )
U 362 XA 7185 ) In patrol line in Kara Sea.
U 739 XA 7431 )
Group "Dachs11;
U 995 ) ^n ^he °Perational area AT 70.
U 703 AA 26 on special operation.
In port:
U 668, 957 Hammerfest,
U 307 TromsB,
U 312, 315, 363, 921, 965, 997 Narvik,
U 387, 737 Trondheim,
U 313, 716 Bergen.
-1,375-
CONFIDENTIAL
(b) U-boats homeward and outward bound:
0500 U 711 put out from Tromso, 1420 put in to
Hammer f est .
U 425, 956 put in to Hammerf est from Pechora
Sea.
2130 U 921' put out from Narvik for AB 35.
0736 U 963 on return passage from Pechora Sea to
Hammerf est .
U 992 on return passage from Pechora Sea to
Hammerf est .
IV. Current U-boat operations:
(a) Convoy operations: None.
(b) Operational measures to intercept enenr,
traffic:
3 boats in attack areas in Kara Sea.
1056 Radio message 1016/757 sent to group "Greif " :
"Last year 4 convoys and many single vessels
ran from the east, also thro ugh- convoys
passing from Archangel to Wilkitzki. There
are indications that such traffic will soon
start up again. If U-boats are sighted early,
ships are held back east of Wilkitzki Strait.
Therefore at all costs remain unobserved
until valuable targets appear."
(c ) Special operations by single boats:
3 boats on minelaying operation in Pechora
Sea.
I boat in support of operation "Edelweiss" .
2210 Teleprinter message Most Secret 00533
received from Naval War Staff, Second
Division* C-in-C U-boats Ops.:
"In view of the fact that the U.S. patrol
vessel (Type "Northland") probably has
the meteorological unit and the crew of
"Kehdingen" on board and that this vessel
is only of slight military importance, forbid
"Brunner" to attack."
2241 Thereon radio message 2224/764 was sent:
II "Brunner": no attack on patrol vessel
which has probably picked up "Edelweiss".
Continue operation."
The boat had waited to intercept th
returning enemy patrol vessel but now
continued the operation to lay the
meteorological buoy. second buoy, which
s still stored in Narvik, was not laid
until the boat had- refueled and put out again.
-1,376-
CONFIDENTIAL
(d) Miscellaneous ;
Most Secret 4531 sent:
"Transfer order for U 565 (Wedemeyer):
1. Put out from Narvik for Hammerfest on the
evening of 6 September.
2. Proceed via Tjeldsund Finnsnesrennen.
Pilot necessary from Lodingen to TromsB.
Escort by 2nd Inshore Defenses Unit from
TromsB to Hammerfest . ■ Boat is expected
by 2nd Inshore Defenses Unit. Make use of
current escorts.
3. Radio frequency "''Anton ■ I" , Northern Waters
very long wave .
4. Give 3 T5 torpedoes to U 668 (v. Eickstcdt)
in Hammerfest. Then after replenishing ,
put out in accordance with Operational Order
No." 16."
1046 Teleprinter message Most Secret 4512 sent to
11th U-boat Flotilla:
"Transfer order for U 515 (Schweiger) :
1. Put out from Bergen for Trondheim on the
. : evening of 6 September.
2. There take in 12 T5 torpedoes for Ramsund.
3. Proceed further via Frohavet and then on
open water passage at a distance of 50 miles
from the coast as far as 66° N in accordance
with Order No. 15. Make for Westf jord on
passage to Narvik - Ramsundo
4. Radio frequency "Anton II", Northern Waters
very long wave.
5. Report probable time of arrival and passing
of approach point "V 1" by time short signal."
V. Reports of successes?
The fourth boat to report by short signal that the
assignment had been executed and the boat was on
return passage was U 968 (V/qstphalon) .
0912 Teleprinter message Most Secret 4519 sent to
Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C U-boats
Ops . :
"U 968 (Westphalen) reports assignment "Lachs I"
carried out."
C. Surface forces : Nothing to report.
-1,577-
CONFIDENTIAL
D.
2307
E.
1325
2140
P.
Plans :
Teleprinter message 7444/44 received from
Luftflotte Command 5:
"Routes for the combined reconnaissance flight
for "Haudegen" and "Goldschmied" scheduled for
6 September if weather permits: Bear Island -
Olga Strait - Kinlopen Strait.
Southern part of Walenbergf jord - Rypf jord -
Hinlopen Strait.
Northern part - ice limit north of Spitsbergen -
ice limit north of Pranz Josef Land - circular
flight over Alexandra Land - Cambridge Sund -
Hope Island."
Organizational :
Teleprinter message Most Secret 00518 received
from Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C
U-boats Ops . :
"Reference Naval Chief Command, East Operations
Staff Ops. 5669 P 1 U:
Concur that the number of operational boats in
group Central should not be lower than 12."
Teleprinter message Most Secret 7619 received
from Admiral Commanding U-boats:
"1. With immediate effect, U 483 (v. Morstein)
and U 978 (Pulst) of 3rd U-boat Flotilla are
again placed under the operational command
of 11th U-boat Flotilla for group Central.
2. Simultaneously, U 293 (Klingspor) and U 310
(Ley) of 11th U-boat Flotilla (group Central)
will again be placed under the operational
command of 13th U-boat Flotilla for operations
in Northern Waters. "
Survey of the situation:
Re II (b):
"The sighted ships obviously belonged to the
formation observed on return passage from Russia.
That would explain their slight spcud of advance .
Contrary to the previous belief, only
the merchant ships v/hich wore clearly
from previous operations on the north
Russia had boon brought back."
Re IV (c):
a few of
left over
coast of
"Only two minclaying operations had not beon
executed, namely those for which the boat3 had
proceed longest in shallow water to the south-
eastern corner of Pechora Seo\ '
(Signed) Suhren.
to
-1,378-
CONFIDENTIAL
6 September, 1944.
A. Enemy situation;
I. Air reconnaissances
Flieger Fuehrer 5;
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance, route
Banak - Bear Island - Banak from 0510 to 0830.
Assignment carried out on the directed route,
exhaustive, nothing to report.
2 BF 109 operated from 0655 to 0736. No further
reconnaissance in Kola Bay as aerial photographs
had already been taken. Kola inlet examined, no
shipping observed. Motovski Bay not examined
because of fighter defenses.
Flieger Fuehrer 4s
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance in the
area west of the Faeroes from 0520 to 1046. At
0815 in AE 9860 mission abandoned because of
technical breakdown. At 0855 in AF 7755 a
submerging submarine. At 0950 in AN 2231 a sub-
marine, course 150°.
Flieger Fuehrer 5;
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance to Jan
Mayen from 0524 to 1239. Route 90$, .Jan Mayen
area 70$ examined, enemy not sighted.
II. Reports on the enemy;
(a) By U-boats : None.
(b) By air reconnaissance: None.
(c) By naval forces; None.
(d) By radio intercept service;
First priority radio messages from Iokanka
and minesweeper No, 116 via Archangel to all
naval forces in Northern Waters ♦ ;
Iokanka area: 2 minesweepers, 2 guardboats.
Gorlo Strait/Archangel area: destroyer
"Uritski" , 1 guardship, 1 minelayer, 3 mine-
sweepers, 1 guardboat,
Belushya/Kara Sea area: 1 guardship, 2 mine-
sweepers, 1 ice-breaker.
Britain: no units intercepted in the Polyarno/
Archangel area.
Bearing of 257° obtained by Svanvik at 1735 on
5 September on British unit, at 1923 U.S. unit
in 316°.
(e) By G.I.S. stations : None.
-1,379-
CONFIDENTIAL
B. U-boats:
.IHi U-boat positions and alterations of position:
(a) Positions at 0800:
• Group "Greif";
U 278 XA 7182 )
U 362 XA 7185 ) in patrol line in Kara Sea.
U 739 XA 7431 )
Group '?Dach3M:
U 636 ) , , , • ,. , . _ „^
jj ggc ) m the operational area AT 70.
U 703 AA 26 on special operation.
In port:
U ..425, .668, 711, 956, 957 Hammerfest,
. U 307 TromsB,
U 312, 315, 363, 365, 921, 965, 997 Narvik,
U 387, 737 Trondheim,
U 313, 716 Bergen.
( b ) U-boats homeward and outward bound :
U 921 proceeding from Narvik to AB 65.
1940 U 365 put out from Narvik for TromsB, at
2350 commenced return passage to Narvik.
1340 U 992 put in to Hammerfest from Pechora Sc .
1900 U 425, 956, 992 put out from Hammerfest for
.. TromsB.
1630 U 313 put out from Bergen to proceed via the
inner leads to Trondheim.
IV. Current U-boat operations s
(a) Convoy operations: None.
(b) Operational measures to intercept onems
traffic :
3 boats in Kara Sea.
(c ) Special operations by single boats:
2 boats on a minelaying operation in
Pechora Se.a.
U 703 on return passage from meteoro-
logical operation "Edelweiss".
(d) miscellaneous :
Sailing order for U :.'1:J (Nikolr.y),. s-.
Appendix 1/5.
V. Reports of sucr .s: Nor.
-1,330-
CONFIDENTIAL
VI. CT-boat reports:
2045 Teleprinter message Most Secret 4554 A Ops. sent
to Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C U-boats
Ops . :
Short report from U 957 (Schaar), fifth operation,
see Appendix I 1/2.
2220 Teleprinter message Most Secret 4536 A Ops. sent
to Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C U-boats
Ops . :
Short report from U t>97 (Lehmann), second operation,
see Appendix II/l.
C. Surface forces: Nothing to report.
D. Plans :
2310 At the request of Naval Chief Command Norway, Naval
War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C U-boats Ops. 622
teleprinter message F II was received:
"1. Of the U-boats which arrived in June, two are
released for anti-submarine operations between
Skudenes and Lister.
2. Naval Chief Command, Norway will be In direct
communication with Naval Chief Command, East
to facilitate allocation of boats. Operations
and command through S.O. 11th U-boat Flotilla,
in accordance with instructions from Naval
Chief Command, Norway as in spring, 1944.
Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C
U-boats Ops. is to be informed."
E. Survey of the situation:
Re IV:
"At present there is no indication of another
convoy, but after PQ, 52 we must always expect that
one may appear suddenly. The daily meteorological
aircraft which flies to Jan Mayen only makes an
unsatisfactory and partial reconnaissance and
we know from experience that the enemy keeps the
approach of convoys and naval forces extremely
secret by scrupulous radio silence. The first 2
boats arc now putting out to form a new group west
of Bear Island passage; the boats returning from
the minelaying operations will follow after quick
re-fitting. 5 boats remain on duty in Kara Sea,
while 5 more are employed on meteorological
operations .
(Signed) Suhren.
-1,331-
CONFIDENTIAL
7 September, 1944.
A. Enemy situation;
I . Air roc onna i z s anc e :
Flicker Fuehrer 5;
1 FW 200 on ice and i jrological roconnaissanc
for a special operation, route Band: - North
Cape - Hope Island - KBnig Karl Land - Hinlopen
Strait - ice limit north of Spitsbergen - ice
limit north of Alexandra Land - Alexandra Land -
North Cape - Dujial^ f rom 0255 to 1502. aignmont
successfully carried out.
4 3F 109, in 2 operations, on aerial photographic
reconnaissance of the naval harbor at Polyarno
and Kola Bay from Kola to north of Murmansk from
0720 to 1310. Photographs of Fisher Peninsula.
No shipping observed in visual reconnaissance of
Motovski Bay, Ura Bay and Kola inlet. In
Russian Strait, only very slight traffic by
independent ships proceeding toward the front.
Flieger Fuehrer 5:
1 Ju 83 on meteorological reconnaissance to Jan
ayen from 0715 to 1310. Route 70#, Jan Mayen
30% examined, enemy not sighted.
II. Reports on the enemy;
( a ) By U-boats ; None .
(b) 3y air reconnaissance;
Naval harbor of Polyarno: 7 submarines, 1
probable escort boat.
Photographic reconnaissance of Kola Bay:
in Vaenga 3ay 1 British battleship ("Rn class)
and ,4 destroyers.
1800 Teleprinter messa^ .val Chief Command,
Norway, Operations Staff, Most Secret 0181
to 1st Battle Group received:
"Photographic reconnaiss'ance has identified
1 battleship, presumed to be of the "Revenge"
class, and 4 destroyers In Vaenga Bay.
Opinion: They may be
(a) the unit heavily damaged by "Lango" in
AC 2729 on 2. t.
(b) Escorts in readiness for a new QP convoy.
(c) A battle group ready for a combined
operation against the Arctic Ocean coast."
-1,582-
CONFIDENTIAL
B.
Ill,
OlOO
1026
1100
(c) By naval forces : None.
(d) By radio intercept service;
Radio messages of first priority from Dikson
to Archangel and Belushya.
Murmansk area: destroyer '''Gremyashchi'' .
Iokanka areas 1 minesweeper, 1 MO-boat, 1
guardboat, 1 motor minesweeper.
Belushya/Kara Sea area: 1 guards hip and 1
minesweeper.
Dikson area: 2 minesweepers.
Britain: no units intercepted in the Polyarno/
Ar change 1 are a .
Bearings: at 1426 on 6 September from Svanvik:
1 British unit in 254°.
At 1902 Hammerfest obtained a bearing of 319°
on a U.S. unit.
(e) By G.I.S. stations: None.
U-boats :
U-boat positions and alterations of position:
U) Positions at 0800:
Group "Dachs";
TT £n ^ £\ \
tj QQc \ in the operational area AT 70.
Group "Greif": ;
■ ■ T -I -- 1 I I ■ !■ II ■ I 1 IT
U 278 XA 7182 )
U 362 XA 7185 ) in patrol line in Kara Sea.
U 739 XA 7435 )
U 703 AA 26 on special operation.
In port:
U 668, 711, 957 Hammerfest,
U 307, 425, 956, 992 Tromsb,
U 312 Harstad,
U 387, 737 Trondheim,
U 716 Bergen.
(b) U-boats homeward and outward bound:
U 312 put out from Narvik, at 0740 put in to
Harstad, at 1230 put out from Harstad for
AB 65.
U 921 proceeding from Andf jord to AB 65.
U 711, 957 put out from Hammerfest for Kara
Sea .
U 968 on return passage from Pechora Sea to
Hammerfest.
U 313 proceeding from Bergen to Trondheim.
U 365 dr.maged, put in again to Narvik.
-1,383-
CONFIDENTIAL
0600
1545
2345
IV.
0322
1200
U 425, 956, 992 put in to TromsB from
Hammerfest, at 1200 put out from Tromso
for Harstad.
U 956 put in to Harstad, at 2559 put* out
again for Narvik.
U 425, 992 put in to Narvik from TromsB.
Current U-boat operations:
(a) Convo:/- operations ; None.
(b) Operational measures to intercept enemy
traffic:
2 boats approaching west of Bear Island
passage .
3 boats in Kara Sea.
Radio contact could not be established.
Probably the boats were maintaining strict
silence in expectation of traffic .
( c ) Special operations by single boats:
2 boats on a minelaying operation in Pechora
Sea.
U 703 on ret or n passage from operation
11 Edelweiss1' .
(d) Miscellaneous:
Teleprinter message received from "M 361":
"U 365 unable to maneuver, am towing boat
from "Rot 25" to Narvik. 0115."
U 365 (Wedemoyer) was on passage to Kara Sea
and was again delayed. Thus only U 711
(Lange) and U 957 (Schaar) were returning to
group "Greif" in Kara Sea.
In teleprinter message Most Secret 961 "Scha
confirmed from Hammerfest that he had made
arrangements by radio with " Lange '' who v;
proceeding to Kara Sea with hii. . At the same
time, he reported taking on a flying boat
crew of 3 men for a sudden attack which he
intended to make on a "Catalina" of the
Russian reconnaissance in that area. He also
asked for information on the position of
mines .
Teleprinter message Most Secret S.O.s only
139 A Ops. sent to "Schaar" and "L ":
"Avoid the following: AT 7230, AW 3110,
AT 7720, AT 7990, AT 87 and 88, as well as
those squares aring in Appendix II of
Operational Order No. 15."
-1,384-
CONFIDENTIAL
1916 Radio message 1815/788 sent;
i?U 711 (Lange) and U 957 (Schaar): proceed via
AC 50 eastwards and via &F 88 to Kara Sea.
Expect to meet returning boats "Westphalen" ,
"KBhntopp" and "Schendel" in AC 50."
Schaar intended to examine the west coast of
Novaya Zemlya en route.
A third boat became ready for group "Grimm" :
Sailing order for U 515 (Zoller), see Appendix
A. / TT •
Transfer order for U 965 (Unverzagt):
11 1. Put out from Narvik for Ramsund on the
morning of 8 September.
2. After taking in torpedoes, proceed to
TromsB. Pilot from Lodingen to TromsB.
5. Boat is expected by Admiral Polar Coast,
Naval Officer in charge and the Harbor
Master at TromsB.
4. Radio frequency:
UMC" as far as Harstad )northern waters
"Anton I" from Harstad )very long wave.
5. Report promptly on "MC" times of sailing
from Narvik and Ramsund.
6. Await further orders in TromsB."
The boat was to escort the meteorological unit
"Goldschmied".
V. . Reports of successes; None.
VI. U-boat, reports ;
1055 "Teleprinter message 4575 sent to. Naval War Staff,
Second Division, C-in-C U-boats Ops . t
Short report from U 565 (Nees), Second operation,
see Appendix 11/5 7"
C. Surface forces: Nothing to report.
D. Plans t
i i i i i
1600 Teleprinter message "Haudegen" via Admiral Polar
Coast Most Secret 5851 to Naval Chief Command,
Norway received:
"In view of the destruction of "Edelweiss",
"Haudegen" proposes that the whole unit be taken
-1,585-
CONFIDENTIAL
on board "Herrle" . In this way oven without
"Busch", the execution of operation "rlaudegen"
is to a certain extent assured, i.e. without
tho help of aircraft."
E. Organizational:
1020 Teleprinter message Admiral Commanding U-boats
U 5430 Secret U 1 received;
"With effect from 1 September, the following
boats are re-allocated for duties with 11th
U-boat Flotilla: From 4th U-boat Flotilla,
U 867 (v. Mahlendahl), U 870 (Hochlcr).
From 5th U-boat Flotilla, U 991 (Balkc). From
8th U-boat Flotilla', U 1202 (Thomson). From
31st U-boat Flotilla, U 1006 (Voigt) and U 1231
(Lessing) ."
F. Survey of the situation:
Re II (b) :
The possibly damaged battleship lying in Vaenga
Bay. would be .a valuable targe.t for one of the
new Schnorchel boats. Penetration into Murmansk
• Fjord seems quite .possible, and moreover our
U-boats have not been in that area for 3 years
and the advantage of surprise might prove a
telling factor.
(Signed) Suhren.
8 September, 1944.
A. Enemy situation;
I. Air reconnaissance;
Flieger Fuehrer 5:
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance, route
Banak - Bear Island - Banak from 0445 to 0859,
exhaustive, nothing to. report.
Flieger Fuehrer 4:
1 Ju 188 on meteorological reconnaissance in t
area i.t of the Faeroes from 0501 to 1145.
Faeroes not examined because of mist.
Flicker Fuehrer 5:
1 Ju 88 on .meteorological reconnaissance to Jan
Mayen from 0535 to 1227. Route 90^, Jan Mayon
area 15$ examined, enemy not" sighted.
-1,386-
CONFIDENTIAL
II. Reports on the enemy;
( a ) By U-boats; None .
(b) By air reconnaissance: None.
(c) By naval forces : None.
(d) By radio intercept service;
Murmansk area; 1 ice-breaker.
Iokanka area: 1 minesweeper, 1 MO-boat.
Gorlo Strait/Archangel area; 1 guardship, 1
minesweeper, 1 guardboat, 1 motor minesweeper.
Britain: no units intercepted in the Polyarno/
Archangel area.
Strikingly lively air activity by the Iceland
Staff el.
Belushya/Kara Sea area: 4 minesweepers.
(e) By G.I.S. stations: None.
B. U-boats:
III- U-boat positions and alterations of position;
(a) Positions at 0800;
Group "Grimm" :
U 921 A3 64 on passage.
Group "Dacha" :
TT & ^\ C^. \
jj QQ5 \ in the operational area AT 70.
Group "Greif";
U 278 XA 7182 )
U 362 XA 7185 ) in patrol line .in Kara Sea.
U 739 XA 7435 )
U 703 AA 26 on special operation.
In port:
U 668 Hammerfest,
U 307 TromsB,
U 315, 363, 365, 425, 956, 965, 992, 997 Narvik,
U 387, 737 Trondheim,
U 716 Bergen.
(b) U-boats homeward and outward bound:
1410 U 921 proceeding to AB 53.
U 312 proceeding from Harstad - Andf jord to
AB 65.
U 711, 957 proceeding from Hammerfest to Kara
Sea.
U 703 on return passage from AB 83 to Andf jord
- Narvik.
-1,387-
CONFIDENTIAL
1000
0700
1100
2320
IV.
0218
1517
1601
V.
c.
D.
0337
U 968 put in to Hammerfost from AT 70.
U 956 put in tc vik from Harstad.
U 965 put out from Narvik - Ramsund for
TromsB.
U 513 put in to Trondheim from Bergen.
Current U-boat operations;
(a) Convoy operations: None.
(b) Operational measures to intercept enemy
traffic:
3 boats in Kara Sea.
2 boats approaching west of Bear Island
passage .
Radio message 0140/792 sent:
11 1. U 312 (Nikolcy) is proceeding from
Andf jord to AB 65 as the second boat
of group "Grimm11 .
2. "Werner'': continue to AB 53."
(c ) Special operations by single boats:
2 boats on a minelaying operation in Pechora
Sea.
U 703 on return passage from meteorological
operation "Edelweiss".
. Teleprinter message Most Secret 4597 A Ops.
sent to Naval Communications Officer, TromsB
for "Haudegen" :
"Naval Chief Command, ' No rway telegraphed in
Most Secret 0219 P I Ops.: "Mondschein" :
proceed from "SR 1" via AG 89, from there to
Olga Strait - Hinlopen Strait."
That was the sailing order for meteorological
survey ship "Busch" escorted by U 307 (Herrle).
The latter received the order in radio
message 1525/610.
Reports of successes: None.
Surface forces : Nothing to rcoort.
Plans :
The results of the ice reconnaissanco for tho
meteorological operation were received in
teleprinter message Most Secret from tho offic
of Bomber Geschwader 40, Banak:
"Ro "Goldschmied":
1. No enemy activity on route Nordaustland -
-1,388-
CONFIDENTIAL
Alexandra Land - Prinz G-corg Land - North Cape,
Norway. "Schatzgrabor' hut undisturbed.
2. Landing possible in south of Harmsworth
Peninsula, but it would not really be suitable
as there is little chance of camouflage in the
smooth glacier and on the flat foreland. More
favorable position near the old "Schatzgraber"
hut or further' west at Cape Nimrod. If this
place is chosen, the carrying of 2 extra heavy
machine-guns is vital to gain the coastal area.
Operational to "Haudegen" :
No enemy activity from Hope Island - Konig Karl
Land - Nordaustland - southern entrance to
Hinlopen Strait. However, here visibility was
limited. In the actual "Haudegen" operational
area, no observation was made (route southern
entrance to Hinlopen Strait diagonally across
Nordaustland to North Cape, Nordaustland),
North of North Cape, Nordaustland to 81° 30' N
the sea was free of ice and there were no enemy
forces . 1?
1730 Teleprinter message Most Secret 4600 A Ops. sent
to Naval Communi cat ions Officer, Irons B for
"Goldschnied":
"Naval Chief Command, Norway telegraphed in Most
Secret 0220 P 1 A Ops . i Intended point of departure
"SR 1" on 11 September."
1821 U 921 (Unverzagt) was informed in radio message
1821/611.
E. Organizational :
1630 Teleprinter message Admiral Commanding U-boats
Most Secret 7680 Order received:
"1. C-in-C Navy has approved the proposal that
Captain U-boats, West should be transferred to
Bergen and has given orders for this to be
carried out.
2. Staff of Captain U-boats, West will assemble
in GiAstrov on 10. September. Prom there, they
will travel to Norway.
3. 11th U-boat Flotilla is ordered to make the
necessary preparations.
4. Naval War Staff, Second Division, is requested
to determine the separating line."
P. Survev of the situation:
Re E:
After the loss of the French bases, Atlantic
-1,389-
CONFIDENTIAL
operations must bo carried out from Norway.
Briefly, 11th U-boat Flotilla should b
taken from the command of Captain U-boats, Norway,
so that the Bergen dockyard is no longer doubtful
for our boats . The northern b arc quite
adequate for an increased number of Northern
ters beats .
(Signed) Suhren.
9 September, 19M .
A. Enemy situation:
I . Air reconnaissance:
Flicker Fuehrer 5:
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance, route
Banak - Bear Island -Banak from 0512 to 0847,
nothing to report, exhaustive.
Fliop;er Fuehrer 4:
1 Ju 188 on meteorological- reconnaissance in the
area west of the Faeroes from 0456 to 1147.
Northern part of Faeroes examined, no shippin
identified.
Flieger Fuehrer 5;
1 3V 138 on meteorological reconnaissance, route
Trondhcim - A? 2835 - AB 7434 - AF 2835 from
0801 to 1804, enemy not sighted.
II . Reports on the enemy:
( si )' "By "U-boats '.
In A3 4332 submarine attack on U 739 (Mangold).
In XA 7541 U 739 (Mangold) missed with a T5
torpedo against destroyer of the "Gremyashchi"
class .
(b) By air reconnaissance:
0730 In AE 9596 1 merchant ship of - : ,000 G.R.T.
easterly course, speed 10 knots.
(c) By naval forces : None.
(d) By radi, i:. ,-ept service:
Radio i ages est priorlt;
Belushya and Polyarno to Dikscn, Dikson
Archi agel and all naval forces in Northern
Waters .
-1,390-
CONFIDENTIAL
III
0430
0400
0800
0130
IV.
Iokanka area; 1 minesweeper, 1 guardboat.
Gorlo Strait/Archangel area: 1 guardship, 1
minesweeper, 1 guardboat.
Belushya/Kara Sea area: 1 minesweeper, 1 ice-
breaker.
Britain: no units intercepted in the Polyarno/
Archangel area.
(e) By C-.I.S. stations s None.
U-boats :
U-boat positions and alterations of position:
(a) Positions at 080C :
C-roup "Grimm" :
U 921 AB 53 ) in attack areas depth of sweep
U 312 AB 65 ) 50 miles .
Group "Dachs":
U 636 AT 70 in the operational area.
Group "C-reif" :
U 278 XA 7182) '. '
U 362 XA 7185) in Patrol line in Kara Sea.
U 739 AF 80 proceeding eastwards .
In port:
U 668, 968 Hammerfest,
U 965 TromsB,
U 363, 365, 425, 956, 992, 997 Narvik,
U 313, 387, 757 Trondhelm,
U 716 Bergen.
(b) "J-boats homeward, and outward bound;
U 711, 957 proceeding from Hammerfest to Kara
Sea.
U 315 put out from Narvik for AB 91.
U 307 put out from TromsB on special operation,
U 703 on return passage from AB 83 to Andf jord
- Narvik.
U 995 on return passage from AT 70 to
Hammerfest . ■
U 656 on return passage from AT 70 to
Hammerfest .
U 968 put out from Hammerfest for TromsB.
U 965 put in to TromsB from Narvik.
Current U-boat operations:
(a) Convoy operations : None.
-1,391-
CONFIDENTIAL
(b) Operational nioasurcs to intercept en<
traffic: "~ "
2 boats in formation southwest of Boar
Island.
1529
0106
0138
1121
1647
Radio message 1451/720 sent:
"U 315 (Zollor) is proceeding from Andf jord
to AB 91 as third boat in group "Grimm".
Schnorchel boat."
3 boats in attack areas in Kara Sea.
Radio message 2155/701 received from U 739
(Mangold) :
"Position R? 8565, Kara Sea; as "Wedemeypr"
reported, otherwise no sightings and no
mines. Dikson: patrol by flying boats
without location sets. Sea calm.
On 3 September met ;,Franz" in AS 1998. In
AS 4332 evaded fan- of -four from submarine
near a flying boat. Presume cooperation."
Radio message 2542/702 received from U 739
(Mangold) :
"Position &F 8553 line 2. No observations.
On 5 September, failed to meet or hear
"Franz" or "Franze" at Kravkovo. Impossible
to lie on the bottom owing to stony ground.
On 5 September in XA 7541 missed with T5
torpedo fired at a "G-rcmyashchi" : class
destroyer, probably "Trier".
Made off to the northeast. "Hcrkules"
probably a radio station. No air patrols.
Radar sot out of order. Propose as
rendezvous: "north sido of Beluji at 0400 on
12 September. Then position lino from
XA 7371 to 7379 to intercept traffic."
Radi o, mo s s ap,c 1044/707 sent';
"Group ''Greif". New rendezvous as proposed
by "Mr.ngol l" in radio message 2342 Officers."
(c) Special operations by single boats:
The last 2 boats of group "Dachs" reported
the execution of their minclaying operations
• in Pochora Sea and also that they wero on
return passage .
Radio mo 1454/711 sent:
" "Kohntopp", "Schondol": On the evening of
9 September, U 307 (Horrlo) is putting out
with coastguard ship "Busch" vii fost
for &G 89 and northward , Description of
-1,392-
CONFIDENTIAL
2212
V.
0110
1200
VI.
2145
2330
C.
D.
0148
"Busch": 350 G.R.T., fishing vessel without
xstj large bridge , davits amidships, after
-st sai 3 fu.nr.cl, wood pile in stern.
ay show Russian flag. Do not stop her.''
Teleprinter message received from ,f Haudegon" :
"Sailing delayed -by -disembarkation until the
evening of 10 September."
(• d ) Miscellaneous ;
U 703 (Brunner) which, after leaving the
pursued "Kehdingen" » was ordered to cease
chasing the coastal patrol cruiser "Northland",
reported fr.cm Andf jord.
Reports of successes:
After the short signals on the execution of the
minelaying assignments had been received,
teleprinter message Most Secret 4605 A Ops , 1 was
sent to Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C
U-boats Ops :
"U 995 (KBhntopp) reports execution of operation
"Hering I"."
Teleprinter message Most Secret 4611 A Ops, sent
to Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C U-boats
Ops . :
"U 636 (Schendel) reports execution of operation
"Forelle I"."
U-boat reports :
Teleprinter message 4623 A Ops. sent to Naval War
Staff, Second Division, "C-in-C UTboats Ops.:
Short ■ report from U 953 (Lions), seventh operation,
(""■ines: lfButt I" ) , see Appendix II/4.
Teleprinter message r.Ios.t Secret. 4625' A Ops. sent
to Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C U-boats
Ops . :
Short report from. .U 5.92 (-3 :o-)y second operation,
(Ilines: Sprotte I"), see Appendix Il/5.
Surface forces: Nothing to report.
Organizational :
Teleprinter message. .Admiral -Commanding U-boats Most
Secret 7622 to 11th and, lo.th U-boat Flotillas
received: : '
"The following boats of 11th U-bcat Flotilla are
-1,393-
CONFIDENTIAL
re-allocated for duties with 13th U-boat Flotilla:
With effect from 15 September:- U 313 (Schv/eiger),
U 315 (Zoller), U 363 (Nees) and U 425 (Bentzien).
With effect from 1 October: U 716 (Dunkelberg) ,
U 956 (Mohs), U 957 (Schaar), U 965 (Unverzagt)
and U 992 (Falke) . '•'
E. Plans :
1818 Teleprinter message Naval War Staff, Second
Division, C-in C U-boats Ops. 00927 Most Secret
received:
"1. Air reconnaissance reports 1 battleship
observed in Vaenga Bay during reconnaissance
of the Kola area on 6 September.
2. She is presumed to be damaged as the other
units returned to the west with the Q,P convoy.
3. She may be the heavy unit, encountered and
attacked by U 711 on 23 August. C-in-C Navy
desires this suggestion to bo sent by radio
to U 711.
4. Report whether, according to your information,
it would be possible for a Schnorchel boat to
penetrate into Kola Bay to. attack the
battleship,
2316 In reply, teleprinter message Most Secret 4628
A Ops. .was sent to Naval War Staff, Second
Division, C-in-C U-boats Ops. and for information
Naval Chief Command, Norway:
"Re your Most Secret 00927 teleprinter messe
F II:
If full advantage is taken of tho performance of
a Schnorchel boat, penetration of Kola Bay is
considered possible. Our' only Schnorchel boat
"Zoller!1 can be employed after handing over
torpedoes and secret material. Russian mines and
net barrages not known. Most of our own moored
mines of spring 1942 have probably boon swept,
also the aerial mine; . Exact details requested.
in the northern area, however, we have not the
necessary torpedo net cutters. "'
0050 Teleprinter message Naval Chief Command, No:
Most Secret 0225 F I to Naval War Staff, First
Division received:
"The extremely strained fuel situation in tho
German Air Force no longer permits of sea recon-
naissance, thus enemy movements cannot bo
observed, even in the vicinity of tho coast.
Petrol necessary for sea reconnaissance could, in
my opinion, only be procured at the oiy the
daily meteorological flights. It is proposed to
omploy U-boats with "Radios ondo" . .ratus
-1,394-
CONFIDENTIAL
for meteorological observation. The number of
boats and their disposition would be determined in
agreement with German Air Force High Command,
provisionally 2 boats. These boats would at the
same time carry out • reconnaissance and be available
at any time for operations against the enemy. If
no weather report came in from the U-boats, an air-
craft (held in readiness) would have to take off.
Request that you try out this proposal in view of
the urgent necessity for improving sea reconnais-
sance .
P. Survey of the situations
Most Secret S.O.s only 114/44 sont to Naval War
Staff, Second Division, C-in-C U-boats Ops., Naval
Chief Command, Norway, Operations Staff, for
information Naval War Staff, First Division;
uU-boat situation in Northern Waters on 9 September
1944;
1. Group "Trutz1' put in after the action against
PQ, 32. Group "Grimm" forming west of Bear
Island passage, up to now 3 boats.
2. After successful minelaying in Pechora Sea,
Group ,fDachsH is being equipped for operations
against the next PQ, convoy. 6 boats.
3. Group "Greif" (5 boats) in Kara Sea in expecta-
tion of traffic from the east. It is intended
to keep 2 to 3 boats there even after Jelaniya
is iced up, as the Russians hold back their
ships in the east until then. Return passage
via Kara Strait.
4. 3 boats on meteorological operations..
5. At present there are 25 Northern Waters boats.
Of the proposed 10 new boats, six will be
brought up shortly from the south."
Re IV (b) ;
As was mentioned earlier, the Russians have
apparently stopped their merchant traffic since
the renewed appearance of our U-boats in Kara Sea
and have set submarines and destroyers to attack
the U-boats. The whereabouts of U 278 (Franzc)
and U 362 (Franz) are uncertain.
(Signed) Suhren.
-1,395-
CONFIDENTIAL
10 September, 1944.
A. Enemy situati_o_
!• Air reconnaissance •
Fliogcr Fuehrer 5:
Air reconnaissance of Murmansk Be, . Slight
patrol activity observed.
Flieger Fuehrer 4;
1 Ju 188 on meteorological reconnaissance in t]
sea area west of the Faeroes from 0520 to 1235,
Faeroes examined, enemy not sighted.
Flieger Fuehrer 5.°
1 BV 138 on meteorological reconnaissance in the
direction of Jan Mayen from 0545 to 1653. Mission
carried out on same route as on 9 September,
enemy not sighted.
II. Reports on the enemy;
(a) By U-boats : None.
(b) By air reconnaissance. None.
(c) By naval forces: None.
■ ■■■■■ ■ ■ m m m *■■> «^i^ ■ — ti<^,mm
(d) By radio intercept service:
Very occasional transmission of messages from
the Norwegian polar coast to submarines in
the operational area.
Murmansk area: destroyer ,?EH .
Pummanki area: 1 I.i.T.3.
Iokanka area: 1 guardship, 1 minesweeper, 2
minelayers, 3 guardboats , 1 motor mine .pur.
Belushya/Kara Sea area: 4 guardships, 2
. . mlno-sweopers , 1 ice-breaker.
Britain: no units intercepted in the Polyarno/
Archr.ngol area.
At 0004 Svanvik took a bearing of 272° on a
British unit in communication with St. Johns.
• Hammorfest, at 0312, took' a bearing of 275°
on another British unit in communication v/ith
Cloethorpcs .
(e) By G.I.S. stations: Hon .
B. U-boats :
III . U-boat positions and alterations of positlo:
(a) Positions at 0800:
-1,596-
confide.-:: AL
1529
0820
1940
0152
1600
IV.
0550
Group "Grimm11:
----- - i i - ■ i
U 921 AB 53 )
U 31 55 ) ^-n ^he attack area, depth of
U 315 A3 91 ) - P 50 miV»-
Group "Groif":
i - i- ■ — ■ - -i m.
U 273 XA 7463), ,-,-,. , v - a
U 362 XA 754-9 )in " linG in Kara Sea =
U 739 AS 1381 on passage.
In port;
U 668 Hammer fes
U 965, 968 Tromso,
U 365 , 56 5, 425, 956, 992, 997 Narvik,
U 313, 387, 737 Trondhcim,
U 715 Bergen.
(b) U-boats homeward and outward bound:
U 307 proceeding from TromsB to Ag 89.
U 711, 957 proceeding from -erf est to
Kara Sea.
U 315 on return passage from AB 91 to Andf jord
- Narvik.
U 995 on return passage from AT 70 to Hammerfest.
U 636 put in to H rfest from 'AT 7
U 703 put in to Ha: Suad from aA 26.
U 968 at anchor off TromsB, at 0400 weighed
anchor to proceed to Narvik, at 1800 put in
to Narvik.
U 315 put out from Trondheim for Narvik.
Current U-boat operations;
(a) C onvoy op s- r at i ons ; None.
(b) Operational measures to intercept enemy traffic:
3 boats in formation southwest of Bear Island.
3 boats in Kara Sea.
( c ) Special operations by single boats :
1 boat in support of operation "Haudegen" «
(d) Miscellaneous:
Radio message 0415/1 -A received from U 921
(Werner) :
"Port electric motor I out of order. aximum
number of revolutions 160. Double charging
time, 66 cubic- meters , A3 64.8.5."
The order to preserve radio silence was broken
at 1520 when a m ge was sent.
-1,397-
CONFIDENTIAL
1544
V.
VI.
0115
C.
D.
Radio me ;e 1529/729 sent: see VI D.
Reports of successor; None.
U-boat reports
Teleprinter messa ost Secret 4626 A Ops. sent
to Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C
U-boats Ops . :
Short i r-t from U 425 (Bentzien), fifth
operation, see Aryendix El/6.
Surface forces : Nothing to report.
Plans t
Teleprinter message received 'from Naval War Staff,
Second Division, C-in-C U-boats Ops. 01001 Most
Secret S.O.s only:
nl. The execution of the Vaenga Bay operation by
a Schnorchel boat is considered possible.
2. Bring U 315 to port immediately, discuss the
assignment with the commander.
3. Captain U-boats will examine him and report
if the commander Is suitable for the special
operation and if unsuitable will propose
another .commander, who will then be recalled
to port .
4. Air reconnaissance is to make sure of the
situation once again before the U-boat's
penetration. Fairly strong air reconnaissance
would endanger the project.
5. An attempt is being, made to bring up the net
cutters ."
1544 As a result, radio message 1529/729 was sent:
"Zoller: return immediately to Andf jord - Narvik
at high speed."
E.
Survey of the situation:
Re D:
U 315 (Zoller) seems suitable for the operation
into Murmansk Fjord. Boat and crow aro read;, .
It appears that there are adequate 'not pistols
available in tfc roa. The commandor should bo
instructed and the boat should sail as soon as
possible, so that the battleship will not
timo to proceed to dock, to put out or to movo to
an unreachable spot.
(Signed) Suhron.
-1,
CONFIDENTIAL
11 5 o d tombor , 1944,
A . I . i g i-7 5 i t ua t i o n :
I . Air rcconnaissa:;:,
Fliegor Fuehrer 5; No operations .
Fliogor Fuehrer 4:
1 Ju 188 on meteorological reconnaissance in the
sea arc: west of the Faeroes from 0448 to 1143.
Flicker Fuehrer 5:
1 BV 138 on meteorological reconnaissance on the
same route as on 10 September from 0554 to 1538,
enemy not sighted.
II. Rororts or. the enemy:
( a ) 3;.- l~-boa~s ; Hone .
( b ) By air reconnaissance : None .
(c) 3y naval forces : None.
(d) By radio intercept service;
Radio messages of first priority from 3clushya
to Dikson, Dikson and Cape Jolaniya to
Archangel. Striking 3ritish reports
from the Britis :rr.c area to Murmansk and from
Spitsbergen to the British home area.
Iokanka area: 1 guardship, 2 minesweepers.
Gorlo Strait/Archangel area: destroyer "UritskL".
3olushya/Kara Sea: 3 guardships , 1 minelayer,
3 minesweepers.
-Dikson arc:.: 1 guardship.
Britain: no units intercepted in the Polyarno/
Archangel area.
(c) By G.I.S. stations: None.
B. U-boats :
III. "J- boat positions and alterations of position:
(a) Positions at 0800:
Group "Grimm" :
U 921 AB 53 ) in the attc depth of
U 312 AB 65 ) sweep 50 miles .
-1,399-
CONFIDENTIAL
Group "Groif" :
U 278 XA 7-103 )
U 362 XA 7549 )in patrol lino in Kara Sea.
U 739 )
In port;
U 668 Hammorfost,
U 965 Tromso,
U 363, 365, 425, 703, 956, 968, 992, 9G7
Narvik .
U 307, 737 Trondhcim,
U 293, 716 Borgon,
U 310 Stavangor,
(b) U-boats homeward and outward bound:
ceding- from TromsH to Xg 89.
proceeding from Hammorfost to
•
in to Hammorfost from AT 70.
in to Narvik from AB 91.
out from Narvik - Ramsund for Trom
ceding from Trondhcim to Narvik,
out from Bergen for Trondhcim.
out from Harstad, at 0730 put in to
out from Hammorfost, at 2045 put in
ad.
U 307 proc
U 711, 957
Kara Sea
1445
U 995 put
1700
U 515 put
2230
U 425 put
U 313 proc
1900
U 293 put
0020 -
•U- 703 put
•Narvik.
0130
U 636 put
to Harst
IV.
Current U-boat
( a ) Convoy operations : None .
(b) Oporational measures to intercept oiicm?,
traffic:
2 boats in the attack area west of.. Bear
Island.
3 boats in patrol line In Kara Spa.
2 boats oaching.
Teleprinter message Most Secret S.O.s onl.
1101 received from Naval War Staff, Second
Division, C-in-C U-boats Ops.:
"Re Captain U-boats Nor S.O.s only 144 of
9 September:
1. Give the order to return for the furth-
operations intended in Kara Sea before the
unpredictable ice situation can trap th
returning boats .
2. In these operations take no rl: inst
the Russians, as succ 3 only whet their
appetite
That referred to our intention to leave boats
-1,400-
CONFIDENTIAL
in Kara Sea, even after Gape Jelaniya had iced
up, so that they might intercept the traffic
expected at that time and then return via Kara
Strait.
(c) Special ope rations by single boats:
wHerrle" with coastguard ship "Busch" on
operation "Haudegen .
(d) Miscellaneous ;
Most Secret 4652 A Ops. sent to U 992:
Sailing order for U 992 (Falke), see Appendix
V. Reports of successes: None.
VI. y-boat re-ports :
2315 Teleprinter message Mogt Secret 4669 A Ops. sent
to Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C U-boats
Ops . :
Short report from U 968 (Westphalen) , third
operation, (mines Si "Lachs*~Iu), see Appendix Il/7.
C. Surface forces s
Nothing to report.
D. Plans :
In support of the operation by "Zoller", teleprinter
message Most Secret S.O.s only 149 was sent to
Luftflotte Command 5 and Flieger Fuehrer 3:
"Request one more unobtrusive air reconnaissance
of Kola Bay, concentrating on confirmation of the
battleship's anchorage; information to reach
Captain U-boats, Norway if possible by 17 September.''
E. Survey of the situation:
Re II (d) :
The striking radio traffic with Dikson may be
connected with operations of our Kara Sea boats
or perhaps with mine successes, for example in
Belushya.
(Signed) Suhren.
-1,401-
CONFIDENTIAL
12 September, 1944.
A. Enemy situation;
I. Air reconnaissance:
Flicker Fuehrer 4;
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance in the
area west of the Faeroes from 0522 to 1335.
Southern Faeroes examined, enemy not sighted.
II. Reports on the enemy:
(a) By U-boats : None.
(b) By air reconnaissance;
Carrier warning from Bergen as far as and
including BodB. Carrier formation waa in
the Stadtlandet sea area at 1300 on 1
September.
( c ) By naval forces : None .
(d) By radio intercept service:
Radio messages of first priority, Bclushya
to Dikson, Dikson to Archangel.
On 11 September shipping in Gorlo Strait
(Danilov light - AW 2944 - switched on from
2200) .
Murmansk area: 1 minesweeper.
Iokanka area: destroyer "e", 4 minesweepers,
1 guardboat, 2 MO-boats .
Gorlo Strait/Archangel area: destroyer
"Uritski1', 3 guardships, 1 minelayer, 1
minesweeper, 4 guardboat 3 .
Belushya/Kara Sea area: 1 guardship, 2 mine-
sweepers .
Britain: no units intercepted in the Poly ".mo/
Archangel area.
(e) By G.I .S. stations : None.
B. U-boats :
III. U-boat positions and alterations c-J . : n:
(a) Positions at :0:
Group "Grx: .. .'' :
U 921 AB 53) in the attac th
U 312 AB 65) of sweep 50 miles.
,
CONFIDENTIAL
2000
0245
0200
1950
IV.
1140
Grout; "Ore if 5f :
— ii ill
U 278 XA 2 )
U 362 XA 7549) in patrol line in Kara Sea.
U 739 XA 7431)
In cert:
U 668, 995 Hammerfest,
U 425, 965 TromsB,
U 315, 363, 355, 536, 703, 956, 968, 992, 997
arvik,
U 387, 737 Trondheim,
U 716 Berge
U 310 Stavanger.
(b) U-boats homeward ana outward bound:
U 711, 957 proceeding from .erf est to Kara
Sea.
U 307 proceeding fro:.: TromsB to &G 89.
U 995 put out from /.erfest for Narvi; .
U 425 put in to TromsB from Narvik.
U 636 put out fr' :.rstad, at 0800 put in to
Narvik.
U 313 proceeding from Trondheim to Ivr.rvik.
proceeding from Bergen to Trondheim.
U 310 put out from Egersund for 3ergen.
C ur r e n t .'-boat c p •:- r a z ions :
(a) Convoy operations; None.
> iii ii iii iii-
(b) Operational measures to intercept enemy traffic:
boats in the attack area southwest of Bear
Island.
3 boats in Kara. Sea.
2 boats ap p r o a chin; .
(c) Special operations by single boats:
"Herrle" with cc uard ship "Busch" on
operatior \udegen .
(d) .liscellaneous ;
Most Secret 4678 A Ops. sent to U 997:
Sailing order for U 997 (Lehmann) , see
A ■': \ ~ ix 1/ 5 .
The following Sail:..-. ;-'-er (raaio message
1115/748) was sent to "Bentzien'1 who was
procee .ng to H rfest:
425 (Bentzien)! put out from Hammerfest on
the evening of 12 So] tember" for AB 65 as the
third boat of group ''Grimm" . Economical speed."
-1,403-
CONFIDENTIAL
V' Reports of successes: None.
C. Surface forces; Nothing to report.
D . Plans :
1300 Most Secret teleprinter message 4G80 A Ops. 3ent
to Naval War Staff, First Division:
"Proposal of Naval Chief Command, Norway Most
Secret 0225 F I of 8 September concerning
meteorological reconnaissance by U-boats is not
approved.
1. The daily flights of the meteorological Staff el
are the last regular part reconnaissance
against PQ convoys; they have already
intercepted formations several times promptly
and are considerably more effective than
U-boat reconnaissance.
2, As means of reconnaissance, U-boats would
have to be moved further south. Each trans-
mission of weather reports would be immediately
located by the enemy and the boats would be
scattered by strong air patrol. Boats which,
on intercepting a convoy, did not lie far
enough ahead, would be useless for attackin
purposes on that clay. It is therefor :isiv
in convoy attacks to have air roconnaissai:
if possible ahead of pur U-boat formation.1'
E. Survey of the situation:
Re II (d) :
"The urgent radio traffic from Belushya may be
connected with mine successes scored by "Mohs" .
The shipping movements in Gorlo Strait may be
connected with the assembling of a return convoy.
Re IV (d) :
"U 425 (Bentzien) and U 997 (Lehmann) are the
first of the six boats to join group "Grimm"
after the execution of their minolaying operations.
They will strengthen tho patrols in Bear Island
passage, where there are still very few boats."
(Signed) Suhren.
15 September,
A. Enemy situation:
I. Air reconnaissance:
-1,404-
CONFIDENTIAL
Flicker Fuehrer 5:
1 3V 138 on meteorological reconnaissance, route
Billof jord - Bear Island - Billefjord from 0621 to
1134, exhaustive, nothing to report.
II. Reports on the enemy:
(a) By U-boats : None.
(b) 3y air reconnaissance: None.
(c) 5y naval forces i None.
(d)- By radio intercept service:
Radio messages of first priority: Belushya to
Dikson and Archangel, Dikson to all naval
forces in Northern Waters .
Iokanka area: 4 guardsliips, 3 minesweepers,
2 guardboats, 2 MO-boats.
Gorlo Strait/Archangel area: 1 guardboat, 1
motor minesweeper.
Belushya/Kara Sea area: 1 guardship, 1 mine-
sweeper.
Dikson area: 1 minesweeper.
Britain: no units intercepted in the Polyarno/
Archangel area.
At 1716 Archangel transmitted an urgent
operational message to Britain.
18th Group: lively air activity.
( e ) By G-.I.S. stations.: None .
B. U-boats :
III, U-boat positions and alterations of position:
(a) Positions at 0800:
Group "Grimm" :
U 921 A3 53 ) in the attack area, depth
U 312 AB 65 ) of sweep 50 miles .
Group "Greif" :
U 278 XA 7463 )
U 362 XA 7549 ) in patrol line in Kara Sea.
U 739 XA 7431 )
U 711 AF 89)
U 957 h 89) on PassaSO.
U 307 north of &G 89 on special operation.
In port :
U 668 Hammerfest,
U 965 TromsB,
U 997 Harstad,
-1,405-
1120
u
1000
u
u
u
1700
u
CONFIDENTIAL
■•' U 315, 365, 365, 636, 703, .3, 968, 992
Narvik,
U 387, 737 Trondhcim,
U 716' Bergen, •
(b) U-boats homeward and outward bound:
1700 U 992 -out out from Narvik - Ramsund for AA 93.
0015 U 425 put out from TromsB, at 1300 put in to
Hammorf est .
0200 U 997 put out from Narvik, at 0800 put in to
Harstad, at 1000 put out from Harstad, at
1800 put in to TromsB, at 2400' put out for
Hammorf est .
315 put out from Narvik - Ramsund, at 2100
put in to TromsB, at 2400 put- out for
Hammerfest .
995 passed TromsB, at 1705 put in to Harstad,
313 proceeding from Trondhoir.i to
293 proceeding from Bergen to Trondhcim.
310 put in to Bergen from Egcrsund, at
2100 put out for Trondhcim.
IV. Current U-boat operations :
(a) Convoy operations : None.
(b) Operational measures to intercept enemy
traffic:
2 boats in the attack area west of Bear
Island.
5 boats in Kara Sea,
0159 Radio message 2352/762 sent to Group "Greif " :
Ml. New pack frequency on 36 meter wave:
routine hourly from 6 to 10 minutes past
the hour. Tuning daily at 2200, callsign
"Alpha", series number in accordance with
Communications Order for Baltic boats.
2. In a short signal, "Senear" informod us
of rendezvous with "France", "Franz" and
"Mangold" for 0600 on the next da. .
For thi3 purpose, now system: yyy equal
"Kaminskovo Bi ". "Belukha",
uuu ' , ooo equals
"Gorborshtoin" . Confirmation by ccc
cquali: "Yos". "Senear" ia bringing
further directions for radio communications.
3. At the rendezvous ,.. oquip a third boat for
further ope ■ The oth ! boats
will pporato according to t ituation
off Dikson and Ye tki Strait. On
r .-■ turn passage, . rt 1 distance fro
the ice northeast of J Lya,
-1,406-
CONFIDENTIAL
4."Lange" assumes command of group "Greif" ."
(c) Special operations by single boats:
"Herrle" with coastguard ship " Busch" on
operation "Haudegen .
1820 Teleprinter message Naval Chief Command, Norway
Most Secret 0410 to '"'Edelweiss" received by
radio; .
"if the enemy situation permits, answer with
following short signal.:
1. Landed according to plan, ship nearby.
Short signal: W L A.
2. We are standing by off the coast with
emergency equipment and auxiliary unit,
ship sunk.
Short signal: B I P."
No answer was received. The coastguard ship
"Kehdingen" might be lost or she might be
lying hidden off the coast, unwilling to
betray her position by radio.
( d ) Miscellaneous :' •
' Sailing order for U 705 (Brunner), see
Appendix 1/7 .
V. Reports of successes: None.
C. Surface forces: Nothing to report.
D. Plans :
1307 Teleprinter message Naval Chief Command, Norway
Most Secret 0390:
"Subsequently to Luftf lotto 5 I W 200/44 Most
Secret of 5 September, Luftflotte 5 proposed the
following sailing dates for the U-boats from TromsB
to pick up the meteorological units:
1. Hope Island: 20 September.
2. Bear Island: 26 September.
'3. Spitsbergen: after the boat returns from Bear
Island, at the latest 5 October. Request
approval. "
1405 In roply, teleprinter message Most Secret 4704
was sent to Naval Chief Command, Norway and
Luftflotte 5:
"Boats are being allocated, but are to be employed
-1,407-
CONFIDENTIAL
against convoys. U 636 (Schondcl) will arriv
at TromsB provisionally en 17 S mbor Tor
loading and discussion."
E. Organizational?
1727 Teleprinter message Naval War Staff, Sucond
Division, C-in-G U-boats Ops. Most Sucrct
7005 received:
"A) The following ruling is intended for Captain
U-boats, West after his transfer to n;
1. Captain U-boats, West, with his H.Q.
Bergen, assumes command of the U-boats in
the area south of 66° 30' nd east of
2° W, Transfer of boats to cc .1 will
be arranged through C-in-C U-boats Op: .
and Captain U-boats, Norway with frequency
alteration.
2. Captain U-boats, West remains under the
operational command of C-in-C U-boats
(Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C
U-boats Ops.)
3. For command of the boats proceeding in
escort, ho is directed to coepcrat
closely with Flag Officer, Baltic Defens
in the home waters as far as Kris tians and
(South), and. with Admiral C riding the
west and north coast north of Kris tians and
(South) .
4. Captain U-boats, West is responsible for
anti-submarine measures in his area.
5. Captain U-boats-, West will inform the
boats in his area of any important news
(e. . .line situation, Swedish ships,
German and enemy aircraft and naval forccj).
Naval Chief Command, Norway remains
responsible for transmitting this
information to Captain U-bo :'jst.
6. In enemy operations in Admiral Skagerrak's
area, group Central remains the responsib-
ility of Naval Chief Command, East.
B) If any alterations arc to be proposed, submit
t by return.
C) Authorities concerned have been informed.
F. Survey of the situation:
Re II (d) :
"Striking radio traffic from Belushya continues.'
-1,408-
CONFIDENTIAL
Re IV (b):
"2 boats from group "Greif" were withdrawn from Kara
Sea, since the serious ice situation apparently
precludes much traffic this year, indeed not enough
to justify the presence of more than 3 boats. On
the other hand as many boats as possible had to be
held in readiness for attacks against the convoy
traffic between 3ritain and Russia which has started
again. So far this year, a specially high number
of boats has been withdrawn from operations against
convoys to perform the many special assignments .M
Re E;
"'The installation of Captain U-boats, West in Bergen
affects us principally as follows t
(a) The flotilla, base and dockyard at Bergen are
gradually being closed to Northern Waters boats.
(b) Ant i- submarine measures in the southern part of
Northern Waters are henceforth the responsibility
of Captain U-boats, West instead of Naval Chief
Command, Norway."
(Signed) Suhren.
14 September, 1944.
A. Enemy situation:
i ■ ■ if ' ii i iii i r
I. Air reconnaissance:
Fliegor Fuehrer 5:
1 3V 138 on meteorological reconnaissance, route
Billef jord - Bear Island - Billef jord from 0604 to
1025, nothing to report, not . exhaustive .
Fliegcr Fuehrer 4:
1 Ju 83 on meteorological reconnaissance in the
area west of the Faeroes from 0448 to 1321, enemy
not sighted.
II- Reports on the enemy:
(a) By U-boats : None.
(b) By air reconnaissance: None.
(c) By naval forces : None.
(d) By radio intercept service:
On the night of 13 September, shipping movements
-1,409-
CONFIDENTIAL
in Gorlo Strait in an east-north direction.
(Danilov light - AW 2944 - cxtir.
2300: Terski Orlov - AW 2670 switched en from
0200 to 0500.)
Iokanka are : ;uardships, 1 rdboat, 2
[0-boata,
Gorlo Strait/Archangel area: de ra " .
and "J", 4 guardships, 1 minesweeper, 5
guardboats .
Belushya,/ . Sea area: 1 guards hip, 1 mine-
sweeper, 2 guardboats .
Britain: no units intercepted in th
Polyarno/Ar^hangel area.
In the evening the British radio station
Archangel transmitted several urgent
operational messages with distinguishing word
"Smack" to the British home arc .
At 0800 on 14 September Cloethorpes broadcast
4 operational radio messages to each of 3
distributors, 4 radio messages to each of 7
distributors, 1 radio message to 5 distributors,
• • Admiral Orkneys /Shot lands . and Rosyth K.Q.
Probably a formation at sea in the North Sea/
Northern :.Vaters ar i .
Also probable carrier traffic.
13th Group: lively flying activity.
( e ) By G . I . S . s tations : None .
B. U-boats :
III. U-boat positions and alterations of positic
(a) Positions at 0800:
Grouv: "Grimm" :
U 921 AB 53 ) in the attack area, depth
U 312 AB 65 ) of sweep 50 miles.
Group "Groif":
U 711 )
U 278 )
U 362 ) in attack areas in Kara Sea.
U 739 )
U 957 )
U 307 north of &G 39 on special operation.
In port:
U 668 Hammerfost.
U 965 Tromso,
U 363, 365, 656, 705, 956, 968 Narvik,
U 295, 387, 737 Trondh.
U 716 Bergen.
(b) U-boats homeward and outward bound:
1203 Group "Grimm" proceeding to new attac
-1,410-
CONFIDENTIAL
areas, U 921 to AB 3575, U 312 to A3 3885,
U 425 to AC 4146.
0400 U 425 put out from Hammcrfost for AB 65.
2330 U 668 put out from Hammorfcst for AC 4773.
0945 U 997 put in to Hammerfest from TromsB, at 2330
put out for AC 4495.
U 992 proceeding from Narvik - Ramsund to AA 93.
0945 U 315 put in to Hammerfest from TromsB, at 2330
put out eastwards .
0400 U 995 put out from Harstad, at 0830 put in to
Narvik.
2100 U 313 put in to Narvik after open water passage
from Trondheim.
0300 U 293 put in to Trondheim from Bergen.
U 310 proceeding from Bergen to Trondheim.
IV. Current U-boat operations:
(a) Convoy operations : None.
(b) Operational measures to intercept enemy traffic;
2 boats in attack areas southwest of Bear Island.
3 boats approaching.
1222 Radio message 1155/759 sent:
MU 668 (v. Eickstedt): put out from Hammerfest
for AC 44 on the evening of 14 September. Boat
No. 6 of group "Grimm". Economical speed."
1400 Radio mess, age 1205/770 sent:
"Group "Grimm" :
1. Indications of a probable new westbound
convoy.
2. Proceed immediately- to attack areas, depth
of sweep 50 miles: "Werner" A3 3575,
"Nikolay" AB-3385, "Bentzien" AC 4146.
3. On the evening of 14 September, U 956
(Mohs) will put out from Narvik for AB 6664,
U 997 (Lehmann) from Hammerfest for AC 4495
and U 668 (Eickstedt) for AC 4773,
economical speed."
The reasons for supposing that another west-
bound convoy was about to run were the
increased traffic in Gorlo Strait and the
British radio traffic (starting up again) from
Archangel to the 'home area.
5 boats in Kara Sea.
(c ) Special operations by single boats:
"Herrle" with coastguard ship "Bus oh" on
operation "Haudegen .
-1,411-
CONFIDENTIAL
(d) Miscellaneous :
Sailing order for U 95G (Mohs), see Appendix
1/8 •
V. Reports of successes; None.
VI. U»boat reports :
1653 Teleprinter message Most Secret 4724 A Ops. sent
to Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C
U-boats Ops . :
Short report from U 705 (Brunner), twelfth
operation5 see Appendix iys"
1650 Teleprinter message Most Secret 4725 A Ops. sent
to> Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C
U-boats Ops . :
Short report from U 636 (Schendel), ninth
operation ('fines': "Forelie I" ) , see Appendix
II/9.
2130 Teleprinter message Most Secret 4726 A Ops. sent
to Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C
U-boats Ops .■:
Short report from U 995 (KBhntopo), third
operation (Mines: "Herintr I" ) , se Appendix Il/lO.
C. Surface forces; Nothing to report.
D. Plans :
1157 Teleprinter message Naval Chief Command, Norway
Most" Secret 0415 to Naval War Staff, Second
Division received:
"Since enemy submarines have again been operating
against convoy traffic in the v/ost coast area, an
extension of this activity can shortly bo expected
in the north const area. Request that another
U-boat be made available for the preparation of
the operation so that v/o can oppose the enemy
Immediately. Early operations intended to counter
submarine attac.s off the north c ."
1810 Teleprinter message Naval War Staff, First
Division, Most. Secret 28368 to Naval Chief
Command, Norway received:
"Re "Edelweiss": C-in-C, Navy has decided that
"Edelweiss" is to be accd by "Golds chmicd" .
Naval Chief Command has roquostod that Captain
U-boats should make a U-boat av blc. Details
will be settled by the authorities concerned."
-1,412-
co:;fide:;tial
- . Organizational:
16 _eleprinter message Naval War Staff, Second Division,
C-in-C U-boats Ops. Most Secret 01428 received:
""J 771 (Block) will come under Captain U-boats,
ray from 15 September.
Transfer and sailing order through Captain U-boats ,
Flotilla allocation through A al
C oirjnanding U-boats.'1
?. Survey of th: situation:
Re II (d) and IV ('b)i
In addition to the shipping movements in C-orlo
Serait reported on 11 September end the striking
weather reports from Britain to Murmansk, the later
radio intercept reports seem to indicate pre tion
for the sailing of .turn convey.
(Signed) Suhren.
15 September, 1944.
A. Enemy eier.r.tion:
I. Air reconnaissance:
rlieger y-s.b's.rer 5:
?.-.otographic and visual reconnaissance of Kola Bay
carried out. No shipping traffic in Ura Bay or
otovs-ii Bay.
"lie ~er Fuehrer .
1 Ju 188 on meteorological reconnaissance in the
area west of the Faeroes from 0522 to 0624.
Abandoned owing to engine trouble. At 0738
another Ju 188 took off on the same assignment.
Southern part of Faeroes and Thorshavn examine
nemy not sighted.
II. Reports on the enemy:
(a) By U-boats; None.
( b ) By air re cor. : nc e :
According to z. to graphic report, 1 cattle-
ship of the "RH class between Cape Pi: ri
id Vecnga . (The 4 destroyers sighted in
Vaer y on 6 September re no longer there.)
-1,413-
CONFIDENTIAL
1 Liberty freighter of 7,000 G.R.T. Visual
reconnaissance in Kola Bay north of Vaoi\
showed 4 small coastal vessels on a northerly
course, a small coastal vessel in Ara Bay and
one in Eina Bay, 2 small coastal vessels at
anchor in Motka Bay.
(c) By naval forces; None.
(d) By radio intercept service;
Murmansk area: destroyer "B", 1 minesweeper.
Iokanka area: 1 guardship, 1 minesweeper, 2
guardboats .
Gorlo Strait/Archangel area: 3 guardships , 3
minesweepers, 2 guardboats, 1 ice-break-:. .
Be lushy a/Kara Sea area: 1 guardship.
Dikson area: 1 guardboat .
Britain: no units intercepted in the Polyarno/
Archcngel area.
Bearings: at 2044 on 14 September, Svanvik
took a bearing of 225° on a British unit, at
0014 on 15 September British unit in 229°,
at 0352 British unit in 263°.
18th Group: lively flying activity (32 air-
craft) .
(e) By G.I.S. stations: Nona.
B. U-boats :
III. U-boat positions arid alterations of position:
I . I
(a) Positions at 0800;
m— mm m m mm urn w* mi mm , *, ; m ,mM mm ■ ^ n
Group "Grimm." :
U 921 AB 3735 )
U 312 AB 6228 ) on passage.
U 425 AB 6635 )
Group "Greif":
— ■—^■fc.l — »■■■■■>■■■ ■■■■
U 711 )
U 957 )
U 278 ) in attack areas in Kara Soa.
U 362 )
U 739 )
U 307 north of Xg 89 on special operation.
In port:
U 965 Tromstt,
U 956 Ears tad,
U 313, 363, 365, 636, 703, 968:, 995 Narvik,
U 295, 387, 737 Trondheim,
U 71G, 771 Bergen.
-1,414-
CONFIDENTIAL
(b) U-boats homeward and outward bound:
U 315 proceeding east from Hammerfest.
U 668 proceeding from Eammerfest to AC 4773.
U 997 proceeding from Hammerfest to AC 4495.
U 992 proceeding from Narvik - Ramsund to
AA 93.
0000 U 956 put out from Narvik, 0550 put in to
Harstad, 0935 put out for AC 4773.
1510 U 310 put in to Trondheim from Bergen.
IV. Current : U-boat operations:
(a) Convoy operations : None.
(b) Operational measures to intercept enemy traffic:
3 boats in formation west of Bear Island
passage .
3 boats approaching.
1149 Radio message 1112/789 sent:
ii
"Altered attack areas for group "Grimm";
"Lehmann" AB 6664, "Eickstedt" AC 4495, "Mohf
AC 4773."
3 boats in Kara Sea..
(° ) Special operations by single, bo.ats :
"Kerrle" with coastguard ship .".Bus ch" on
operation "Haudegen" .
"Zoller" on operation "Dachs" .
1249 Radio message 1151/790 sent to "Dachs":
"1. Results of renewed air reconnaissance
expected by 17 September.
2. "Dachs" radio messages will be repeated at
0100 and 1000 at the beginning of the very
long wave program."
(d) Miscellaneous :
0230 Radio message 0206/782 sent: ■-
"Officer radio messages to "Dachs" not to be
decoded by other boats."
Transfer order for U 656 (Schondol) :
"1. Put out from Narvik for TromsB on the
forenoon of 16 September. Report sailing
by short signal on "MG" .
2. Proceed through Tjeldsund - Finns no sronncn,
Pilot necessary from Lbdingen to TromsB.
-1,415-
CONFIDENTIAL
3. Boat is expected in Tromso by Admiral
Polar Coast, Naval Officer in charge and
the Naval Harbor Master. After making
fast, the commander will report personally
to the Naval Officer in charge and the
Naval Harbor Master and by telephone to
Admiral Polar Coast.
4/ Take on canteen at Harstad, Report times
of putting in and out on "MC" .
5. Radio frequency as far as and including
Harstad "MC", 479 kc/s . , from Harstad
uAnton I"". Switch to Northern Waters very
long wave on leaving Narvik.
6. Enter TromsB in accordance with sailing
order."
Sailing order for U 656 (Schendel), see
Appendix l/9.
Sailing order for U 387 (Buchler) and U 737
(Brasack) s .
"1. Put out from Trondheim for AB 65 on 16
Sept ember .
2. Proceed via Frohavet and further at a
distance of 50 miles from the coast.
3. Report passing of 67° N by time short
signal; up to there in accordance with
Order No. 13.
4. Operational Order No. 15 in force in the
operational area. Surface only for
charging. Preserve radio silence except
for enemy sighting reports.
5. U-b.oat Northern Waters frequency. i!
V. Reports of successes: None.
C • Surface forces;
1345 In radio message 1255/49 1st Battle Group reported:
"Heavy air raid on 1st Battle Group in Kar.f jord."
1842 Radio message 1618/191 received from 1st Batt:
Group:
"In view of the largo-scale air raid by four-
engincd bombers and its grave consoquoncos,
fighters must be sent immediately to the Alt a
aroa."
-1,416-
CONFIDENTIAL
D. Plans s
2325 Teleprinter message Naval Chief Command, Norway Most
Secret 0445 received:
nIn accordance with the decision of C-in-C Navy,
operation "Edelweiss" will be repeated by
"Goldschmied" . The operation will be called
"Edelweiss II". Former "Edelweiss" operation will
be called "Edelweiss I". Admiral Polar Coast will
provide the "Edelweiss" operational order.
Captain U-boats, Norway will report escorting
U-boat and earliest sailing date. Further
information follows, in particular regarding the
place of landing." '
Teleprinter message Naval Chief Command, Norway
S.O.s only 1160:
Ml. The repetition of "Edelweiss" by "Goldschmied"
is ordered, in Most Secret Naval War Staff,
First Division I W 23568/44' of ,14 September.
Since the enemy has already Intercepted
operation "Schatzgraber" on Shannon and shortly
afterwards "Edelweiss" ' at Koldewey, it can be
assumed that this area will be strictly
patrolled for the whole of the time in question.
Even if the landing is successful, more difficult
conditions arc to be expected. The area to the
south as far as Sccrcsby Bay. is reported to bo
even more unfavorable from the point of view
of enemy patrols .
It is therefore intended to reconnoitor and sot
up the station on Gcrmania Land or lie do
France .
2. Re my Most Secret teleprinter message 0542 F I
M of 11 Septembers contrary to the intention
of Luftflotte 5, it is planned to carry the
automatic meteorological transmitter in a
U-boat, cither to South Koldewey or Shannon
according to the ice conditions. The boat will
be on a special operation. The ice will
allow execution until the end of September:
the operation will not be combined with
"Edelweiss II", but will depond on whether
Captain U-boats, Norway makes another U-boat
available .
Additional note for Captain U-boats:
teleprinter information is requested as to
whether another U-boat can be made available
and when. "
In reply, teleprinter message Most Secret 4748 was
sent;
"1. The boat for "Edelweiss II" is operating
against the expected PQ, convoy.
2. Another boat can be made available at tho
end of this operation."
-1,417-
CONFIDENTIAL
E. Survey of the situation;
In reply to yesterday's radio mossi to group
"Grimm", teleprinter message Naval War Staff,"
Second Division, C-in-C U-boats Ops. Most Secret
01523 was received:
1912 "l. Indications of the approach of a westbound
convoy should again be reported here in
detail, as we have no particulars.
2. The recent lively enemy activity in the
Norwegian area presupposes operations against
Norway on a fairly large scale. This must be
taken into consideration when holding boats
in readiness or when allocating them.''
2335 Teleprinter message Most Secret 4742 A Ops. to
Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C U-boats
Ops. was sent;
"Reasons for presuming v/estbound convoy on the
basis of radio intercept reports:
On 11 September striking British weather report
from Britain to Murmansk and shipping movements
in Gorlo Strait. On the evening of 13 September
British radio station at Archangel sent several
urgent operational radio messages with codeword
"Smack" to Britain, and shipping movements from
C-orlo Strait northwards. On the morning of 14
September very lively urgent radio traffic
between Britain and Murmansk - Archangel."
(Signed) Suhren.
-1,418-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX i/l
COPY
Most Secret
Captain U-boats Norway. On board, 1 September 1944
Serial Number Most Secret
4465 A Ops .
Sailing orc'-.r for U 711 (L'.n^c).
1. Put out from Narvik for Ramsund on the afternoon of
2 September. Report time of ceiling promptly on UMC".
Take in 8 T5 and 2 T3 torpedoes,
2. Proceed via Tjeldsund - Finns no sronnon to Tromsb:
pilot from LBdingen.
3. Personnel of the sub-G-.I.S. station will come on board
at Tromso. Crew will not go ashore.
4. Proceed further to Hammerfest escorted by 2nd Inshore
Defenses Unit. Hand over 3 T5 for U 668. After
interrogation of the prisoners, proceed with group
"Kentmann" via "SR l'r and &F 88 to AS 20 in accordance
ith Operational Order No. 16.
5. Enemy situation;
(a) PQ, 32, strongly escorted by carriers and heavy
units, ran between 21 and 24 August. Expect heavy
fighters and carrier-borne aircraft. Increased
danger from submarines off ''SR 1" •
(b) On 29 August, 5 escort boats put out eastwards from
Dikson, probably to pick up a convoy. The West
Siberian Sea route was, according to "Schaar" '
report, patrolled by 4 "Catalinas" and mine. pers
without radar.
(c) Urgent radio traffic in the Kara Sea area indicai
enemy encounters with group "Greif" .
(d) Ice situation: "Schaar11 reported drift ice at
Russki and the Latisscna Pass . Bad ice ir.
6. Own forces ;
(a) U-boat3 ; U 394 (Borger) and U 363 (Ncos) are
operating in AB 60 against a formation with a
southwesterly course. Bearing3 have boon obtained.
U 997 (Lehmann) returning from 61 to Andf jord.
-1,419-
CONFIDENTIAL
U 921 (Werner) is putting out from Andf jord for AB
65 on 2 September.
At 2200 on 3 September group "Groif" vail bo in
position lino AS 1982 to 4532, in the following
order: U 278 (Franzc), U 362 (Franz), U 739 (Mangold),
group radio frequency, control U 278.
U 957 (Schaar) returning from AT 21 to Hammerfest -
TromsB.
Radio messages to "Kent11 have no importance for others.
Group "Dachs": U 956 (-Mohs ) , U 968 (Westphalen) ,
U 995 (Kohntopp), U 992 (Falke), U 636 (Schendel);
U 425 (Bentzien) on special operations in AT 70.
U 703 (Brunner) on a special operation in AA 30.
(b) German Air Force:
■ > ■ <■■ i ■ — ■«— i— ii muni — ii. i
Daily meteorological flights to Jan Mayen and Bear
Island (Ju 88s, FW 200s /BV 138s). Further
reconnaissance will be reported.
p.p» Reche .
-1,420-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPEI.DIX 1/2
COPY
Moat Secret
Captain U-boats, Norway.
Serial No. Most Secret -
4463 - A Ops.
On board 1 September 1944,
1.
3.
Sailing order for U 921 (Werner)
Put out from Narvik via Ramsund on the forenoon of 2
September. Report time of sailing on "MC" .
2. Proceed via Tjeldsund - Andf jord to attack area AB 65.
Pilot necessary from Lodingon to Harstad. Increased
danger from submarines and aircraft off Andf jord.
Operational Order No. 15, Northern Waters radio
frequency. In the operational area, surface only to
charge and to take fixes. Preserve radio silence
except for reports on the enemy.
4 . Enemy situation;
After an interval
ran with a strong
At the same time,
of 3 months, the first PQ, convoy (32)
carrier escort from 21 to 24 August,
other carriers attacked Altaf jord
("Tirpitz" ) • Further convoys and carrier formations
arc to be continually expected. Attacks on convoys In
accordance v/ith Northern Waters Order No. 8. For air
situation, see Northern 'Waters Directions No. 30.
5. Own forces :
(a) U-boats :
U 394 (Borgor) and U 353 (Noes) are operating in
AB 60 against a formation v/ith a southwesterly
course. Bearings have been taken. U 997 (Lohmann)
returning from AB 61 to Andf jord.
Group "Groif"; U 278 (Franzc), U 362 (Franz), U 739
(Mangold) in Kara S^ . U 957 (Schaar) returning to
Hammerfest from AT 21. Radio messages to "Kent"
have no importance for others .
Group "Dachs": U 956 (Mohs), U 968 (Wostphalcn) ,
U 995 (Kohntopp), U 992 (Falke), U 636 (Schondol),
U 425 (Bentzicn) on special operations in the cast.
U 703 (Brttnnor) on a special operation in AA 30.
(b) German Air Force:
Daily meteorological flights to Jan Mayon and Boar
-1,421-
CONFIDENTIAL
Island (Ju 88s, FN 200s, 3V 138s). Further
reconnaissance will bo reported.
. . Rechc
-1,422-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX 1/3
COPY
Most Secret
Captain U-boats Norway. On board 6 September, 1944.
Serial No. Most Secret -
4559 - A Ops.
Sailing order for U 512 (Nikolay).
1. Put out from Narvik on the morning of 7 September,
report time of sailing on "MC" .
2. Proceed via Tjeldsund with pilot from LBdingen to
Harstad. Prom there via Andf jord to attack area
AB 65. Increased danger from submarines and
aircraft off Andf jord. Economical speed.
3. Operational Order No. 15. Remain unobserved.
Surface only to charge. Attacks on convoys in
accordance with Northern Waters Order No. 8.
4. U-boat Northern Waters frequency, "MC!i as far as
Harstad. Preserve radio silence except for
reports on the enemy.
5. Enemy situation; After an interval of 5 months, another
PQ convoy (32) , strongly escorted by carriers and
destroyers, ran from 21 to 24 August. Aircraft
reported: "Swordfish", "Corsairs'' , "Fulmars " and
"Catalinas". Simultaneously another carrier formation
attacked the "Tirpitz" in Altafjord. ("Soaf ires" ,
"Martlets" and "Barracudas" also took part.) Another
appearance of westbound or eastbound convoys and
carrier formations can be expected at any time. For
air patrol, see Northern .Vaters Directions Nos . 22, 24
and 30.
6. Own forces :
(a) U-boats :
Group "Grimm" in the attack area: U 921 (Wernor)
in AB 65.
Group "Dachs" on a special operation in the cas'
U 995 (Kohntopp), U 636 (Schondol) returning; U 968
(Wostphalen) to Hammerfost.
Group "Greif" in Kara Sea: U 278 izo), U 362
(Franz) , U 739 (Mangold). Putting out from
Hammerfost: U 711 (Lange), U 957 (Schaar). From
Narvik: U 365 (Wcdomoyor) . Radio m :os to
"Kent" have no importance for othors .
-1,423-
CONFIDENTIAL
Special operation: .II 705 (Brunner) returning to
Andf jord from AB 10.
(b) Daily meteorological flights by He Ills or Ju 88s
from Trondheim or Banak to Jan Mayen and Bear Island
- Spitsbergen.
p.p. Reche.
L
-1,424-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX 1/4
COPY
Most Secret
Captain U-boats, Norway.
Serial No. Most Secret
- 4574 - A Ops,
On board, 7 September, 1944.
Sailing order for U 315 (Zoller)
1. Put out from Narvik for Ramsund on the morning of 8
September to take in torpedoes. Promptly report time
of sailing on n iiC " •
2. Proceed via Tjeldsund, pilot from Lodingen to Harstad.
Then via Andf jord to attack area AB 91. Increased
danger from submarines and aircraft off Andf jord.
Economical speed.
3. Operational Order No. 15. Remain unobserved. Surface
only to charge. Attacks on convoys in accordance with
Northern Waters Order No. 8.
4. U-boat Northern Waters frequency, "MC" as far as
Harstad. Preserve radio silence except for reports on
the enemy.
5. Enemy situation: After an interval of 3 months , another
PQ, convoy (32 ) , strongly escorted by carriers and
destroyers, ran from 21 to 24 August. (Aircraft
reported? "Swordf ish" , ''Corsairs", "Catalinas", and
"Fulmars"'1 ). Simultaneously another carrier formation
attacked the "Tirpitz" in Altaf jord. ("Seafires",
"Martlets" and "Barracudas" also took part). Another
appearance of westbound or eastbound convoys and
carrier formations can be expected at any time . For
air patrol, see Northern Waters Directions Nos • 22, 24
and 30.
6. Own forces :
(a) U-boats:
Group "Grimm" in the attack area: U 921 (Werner)
AB 65, U 512 (Nikolay) on passage to AB 65.
Group "Dacha" on a special operation in th st;
U 995 (Kohntopp), U 636 (Schcndcl) . U 968
(Westphalcn) returning to Hi rfest.
Group "Grcif" in Kara Sea:
(Franz) , IT "7*59 (Mangold),
Hamme rfest: U 711 (Langc),
Narvik: U 365 (Wcdcmoycr) .
^78 (Pranzo), U 362
Putting out from
U 957 (Sc ) . From
Radio messages to "Kent"
have no importance for others.
-1,425-
CONFIDENT IAL
Special operation: U 705 (Brunner) returning to
Andf jord from A3 10.
(b) Daily meteorological flights by He Ills or Ju 88s
from Trondheim or Banak to Jan Mayen and Bear Island
- Spitsbergen.
p.p. Reche.
-1,426-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX 1/5
COPY
Most Secret
Captain U-boats, Norway.
Serial No. Most Secret
- 4652 - A Ops.
On board, 11 September, 1944
Sailing order for U 992 (Falke).
1. Put out from Narvik via 3ogen - Ramsund on 12 Septemb;
Report time of sailing at a given time on "MC" .
2. Proceed via Tjeldsund - Andf jord to AA 93. Pilot
necessary from LBdingen to Harstad. Increased danger
from submarines and aircraft off Andf jord.
3. Remain unobserved on passage. Setting-up of the
meteorological shore transmitter "Walter" on the
northern tip of Jan Mayen on the directions of the
accompanying advisor Dr. StBbe. Make adequate pre-
reconnaissance of the coast and patrols. While trans-
ferring the set to land, post look-outs in elevated
positions. Make certain of communication by signaling.
Anti-aircraft guns at full readiness. Listen to the
set's transmission and report execution from AB 72 on
frequency "Anton" by short signal.
4. Then proceed to AB 58 to group "Grimm".
5.
Operational Order for Northern Waters boats No. 15 is
in- force. Disposition against convoys i3 possible at
any time. Attacks in accordance with Northern Waters
Order No. 8.
6. U-boat Northern Waters frequency, as far as Harstad
"MC" and very long wave . Preserve radio silence except
to report main targets or if observed.
7 . Enemy situation:
After an interval of 3 months, another PQ, convoy (3:)
with strong carrier and destroyer escort and some 20
ships ran from 21 to 24 August. Simultaneously, another
strong carrier formation attacked the coast (particular:
Altafjord). Then a smaller return convoy ran. Further
convoys and carrier formations can be expected now.
Types of participating aircraft: "Catalinas". "Swordfi3:
"Fulmars", "Corsairs" (?), with the convoy; "Barracudas",
"Seafires" and "Martlets" over the coast. Also note
Northern Waters Directions Nos . 22, 24 and 30.
8. Own forces :
-1,427-
CONFIDENTIAL
(a) U-boats:
Group. "-Grimm" in attack areas: U 921 (Werner) AB 53,
U 312 (Nikolay) AB 65, Surface only to charge and
to take fixes.
Group "Greif" in the east: U 957 (Schaar), U 711
(Lange), U 278 (Pranze), U 362 (Franz), U 739
(Mangold). Radio messages to "Kent" have no
importance for others .
Special operation: U 307 (Herrle) with coastguard
ship "Busch" in the north.
(b) German Air Force: Daily meteorological flights from
Trondheim or Banak to Jan Ivlayen and Bear Island
(Ho Ills >■ Ju 88s, FW 200s, BV 138s). Further
reconnaissance will be announced.
p.p. Reche.
-1,428-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX 1/6
COPY
Most Secret
Captain U-boats Norway.
Serial No. Most Secret
- 4678 A Ops .
On board, 12 September, 1944.
Sailing order for U 997 (Lehmann) .
1. Put out from Narvik on the, afternoon of 12 September.
Report passing of boom on "MC" .
2. Proceed via Tjeldsund - Pinnsnesrennen to Hammerfest,
pilot from LBdingen to Tromso, then escorted by 2nd
Inshore Defenses Unit. Pilot and escort have been
arranged. No unnecessary delay.
3. Put out from Hammerfest as quickly as possible with
escort as far as "SR 1", then at economical speed
proceed to AB 69 to join group "Grimm".
4. Operational Order for Northern Waters boats No. 15
is in force; attacks on convoys in accordance with
Northern Waters Order No. 8.
5. Northern Waters very long wave from Narvik, also "MC"
as far as Harstad, then frequency "Anton I" as far as
Hammerfest and after putting out from Hammerfest,
Northern Waters frequency. Preserve radio silence
except to report main targets, first appearance of
carrier-borne aircraft or if observed.
6. Enemy situation: After an interval of 3 months, another
PQ, convoy (32) with strong carrier and destroyer escort
and some 20 ships ran between 21 and 24 August.
Simultaneously another strong carrier formation
attacked the coast (particularly Altaf jord) . Then a
smaller return convoy ran. Further convoys and carrior
formations can bo expected no Types of participating
aircraft: "Catalinas", "Swordfish" , "Fulmars1', "Corsai:
(?) with the convoy; Barracudas", "Scafires" and
"Martlets" over the coast. Also noto Northern Waters
Directions Nos. 22, 24 and 30.
7. Own forces:
(a) U-boats :
Group "Grimm" in attack areas: U 921 (Werner)
AB 53, U 312 (Nikolay) A3 65. Surfaco only to
charge and to take fixes.
-1,429-
CONFIDENTIAL
Group "Groif" in the east? U 957 (Schaar), U 711
(Langc), U 278 (Franze), U 362 (Franz) U 739 (Mangold).
Radio messages to "Kent" have no importance for
others .
Special operation; U 307 (Herrlc) with coastguard
ship "Busch" in the north.
(b) Gorman Air Force:
Daily meteorological flights from Trondhcim or Banak
to Jan Mayen and Boar Island (He Ills, Ju 88s,
FW 200s, BV 138s). Further reconnaissance will be
announced.
p.p. Rechc
-1,430-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX 1/7
COPY
Most Secret
Captain U-boats Norway.
Serial No. Most Secret
- 4691 - A Ops.
On board, 13 September, 1944.
Sailing order for U 705 (Brunner)
1. Put out from Narvik on the afternoon of 14 September,
report time of sailing.
2. Outward passage through Westf jord via AE 30. Possible
increased danger from submarines and aircraft (also
carrier-borne aircraft) off Westf jord.
3. Lay meteorological buoy No. 155 (Ernst) unobtrusively
on East Shelf off Iceland, if possible in 64° N, 15° W.
Remain unobserved even at the cost of speed. Take
precautions against location close in to the coast.
*
4. Then proceed on the Great Circle to lay meteorological
buoy No. 152 (August) in 76° N, 51° E. More details
according to the advice of the accompanying Inspector
Ernst. Report laying of buoys on frequency "Anton" by
short signal, using your series number, once you are
far -enough away. (No. 155 from AE 50).
5. Enemy situation: After an interval of 5 months, another
PQ, convoy (52) with strong carrier and destroyer escort
and some 20 ships ran from 21 to 24 August.
Simultaneously, another strong carrier formation
attacked the coast (particularly Altafjord). Then a
smaller return convoy ran. Further convoys and carrier
formations can be expected now. Types of participating
aircraft: "Catalinas", "Swordfish", "Fulmars",
"Corsairs" (?) with the convoy; "Barracudas", "Seafires"
and "Martlets" over the coast. Also note Northern
Waters Directions Nos . 22, 24 and 50.
6. After laying the buoys, you are free to attack valuab?.
targets in the area concerned. Disposition against
reported enemy formations is also possible at all
times. Attacks on convoys in accordance with Northern
Waters Order No. 8.
7. Orders for further operations or return passage will
follow after the two buoys have been laid.
8. Further details and procodure in acccrdanco with
Operational Order No. 15.
-1,451-
CONFIDENTIAL
9. U-boat Northern Waters frequency. Preserve radio
silence except to report main -targets or if observed.
10. Own forces :
(a) -boats :
Group "Grimm1' in attack areas: U 921 (Werner) A3 53,
312 (Nikolay) AS 65 ."*" Surface only to charge and
to take fixes.
Group "Greif" in the east: U 957 (Schaar) , U 711
(Lange), U 278 (Pranze), U 362 (Franz), U 739
angold) .
Radio messages to "Kent11 have no importance for
others v.- . .. _'
Special operation: U 307 (Herrle) with coastguard
ship "Busch" in the north.
(b) German Air Force: Daily meteorological flights from
Trondheim or Banak to Jan Mayen and Bear Island
(He Ills, Ju 88s, BV 138s). Further reconnaissance
will be announced.
. . Ree~he
-1,432-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX 1/8
COPY
Most Secret
Captain U-boats Norway.
Serial No. Most Secret
- 4714 - A Ops.
On board, 14 September, 1944.
Sailing order 'for U 955 (Nohs).
1. Put out from Narvik via Ramsund at noon on 14 September.
Report time of sailing from Ramsund promptly on "MC".
2. Proceed further through Tjeldsund - Andf jord to AC 44.
Pilot from Lbdingen to Harstad. Possible increased
danger from submarines and aircraft off Andf jord. Boat
4.
joins group "Grimm" as boat No. 4.
Operational Order No. 15. Remain unobserved,
only to charge.
Surface
U-boat Northern 'waters frec^uency, "MC" as far as
Harstad. Preserve radio silence except for reports
on the enemy.
Enemy situation; After an interval of 3 months, another
PQ, convoy (32) with strong carrier and destroyer escort
and some 20 ships ran from 21 to 24 August.
Simultaneously, another strong carrier formation
attacked the coast (particularly Altaf jord) . Then a
smaller return convoy ran. Further convoys and carrier
formations can be expected now. Types of participating
aircraft: "Catalinas", "Swordfish", "Fulmars"; "Corsairs
(?) with the convoy; "Barracudas", "Seafires" and
"Martlets" over the coast. Also note Northern Waters
Directions Nos. 22, 24 and
11
30.
6. Own forces :
(a) U-boats :
Group "Grimm" in attack areas: U 921 (V/crnor) AB E
U 312 (Nikolay) AB 65, U 425 (Bcntzien) AB 69.
Surface only to charge and to take fixes .
Group "Groif" in the cast: U 957 (Schaar), U 711
(Langc), U 278 (Franze), U 362 (Franz), U 739
(Mangold) .
Radio messagos to "Kent" have no importanco for
others .
-1,453-
CONFIDENTIAL
Special operations; U 307 (Hcrrlc) with coastguard
snip "Busch" in tho north.
U 992 (Falke) on passage to AA 93.
(b) German Air Forces
Daily meteorological flights from Trondheim or Banak
to Jan Mayen and Bear Island (He Ills, . Ju 88s,
FW 200s, BV 138s). Further reconnaissance will be
announced.
p.p. Rechc .
-1,434-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX 1/9
COPY
Most Secret
Captain U-boats Norway.
Serial No. Most Secret
- 4739 - A Ops.
On board, 15 September, 1944.
Sailing, order for U 656 (Schendel) .
1. Move from Narvik to TromsB via Harstad on 16 September
on receipt of order.
2, Make fast at the Naval Air Station at TromsB and report
Take in 7 tons of gear and 2 men belonging to the
meteorological station "Hope Island".
5. Then put out via Hammerfest, escorted by 2nd Inshore
Defenses Unit as far as !,SR 1" .
4. Unobserved, economical passage to Hope Island.
Approach with caution (cf. sketch of U 705 (Brunner)).
After determining that there are no enemy forces on the
island, disembark the unit and give support for their
installation. Do not leave until the Station can
transmit.
5. After execution of the landing* send position short
signal- from AC 19. Thereafter further disposition in
accordance with Operational Order No. 15.
6. U-boat Northern Waters frequency: from Narvik also
listen out on very long wave. Preserve radio silence
north of 75° N except for reports which are vital to
the landing of the meteorological unit, or to report
main targets and the first appearance of carrier-borne
aircraft, or if observed.
7. Enemy situation: After an interval of 3 months, another
PQ convoy (32) with a strong carrior and destroyer
escort and some 20 ships ran from 21 to 24 August.
Simultaneously, another strong carrier formation
attacked the coast (particularly Altaf jord) . Then
a smaller return convoy ran. Further convoys and
carrier formations can be expected now. Typos of
participating aircraft: "Catalinas", "Swordf ish" ,
"Fulmars'1, "Corsairs" (?) with the convoy; "Barracudas",
"Scafires" and "Martlets" over the coast. Also not
Northern Waters Directions Nos . 22, 24 and 30. At noon
on 15 September Altaf jord was attacked by four-onginod
aircraft .
-1,435-
CONFIDENTIAL
8. Own forces :
(a) 7-boats :
Gr:v. ''.-rim" in attack areas deoth of sv/ec"c 50 miles:
"" 921 (Werner) A5 3575, U 312 (Nikolay) AB 3885,
U 425 (Bentzien) AC 4145, U 997 (Lehmann) A3 6664,
U 668 (v. Eickstedt) AC 4495, U 956 (Mohs) ^C 4773.
Surface only to charge and to tal fixes.
Grouo "Grelf in Kara Sea: U 957 (Schaar), U 711
(Lar.ce), U 273 (Franze), U 36 2 (Franz), U 739
[angold) .
Special operations: U 307- (Herrle) ixi the north,
" 315 (Zoller) in the east, U 703 (Briinner) in the
west, U 992 (Falke) proceeding to AA 93.
Radio messages to "Kent" and "Dacha" have no
importance for others .
(b) German Air Force: Daily meteorological flights in
accordance with Northern '.Vat or s Directions No. 6.
p.p. Roche.
-1,436-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX II/1
COPY
Most Secret
Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C U-boats Ops.
Admiral Commanding U-boats .
For information Naval War Staff, First Division.
For information 13th U-boat Flotilla.
Clear as multiple address message.
Most Secret
Short report from U 997 (Lehmann), second operation,
18 July, 1944 Put out from Hammerfest.
20 July
6 August
2 September
8-21 August
17-18 August
From 21 August
22 August
23 August
Put in to Hammerfest, as the convoy report
was false.
Put out from Hammerfest.
Put in to Narvik.
Attack area. Group "Trutz" .
Safety service vessel for F.V 200.
Operated against PQ, 32.
"Swordf ish" shadowing. After 45 minutes,
surprise attack by 3 "Fulmars". 3*7 cm.
gun only semi-automatic. Attacked head on
in line astern. After the seventh run-in,
submerged because of 3 "Fulmars", 1 twin-
engined monoplane and 3 "Swordf ish" .
Radiolocation shaft and port external fuel
tank IV pierced by shot. 10 penetrations
of the tower cover by 2 cm. or 3*7 c .
guns. Many light machine-gun hits .
Probably rocket shells past the tower: no
wounded. Submerged 6 more times from
carrier-borne aircraft.
Submerged 11 time 3 from carrier-borne
aircraft. A "Swordf ish" which
shadowing U3 at twilight had 3 fighters
on to us in 15 minutes. Once there wer
4 fighters in line abreast, then 4
"Swordf ish" in twos, one above the othei.
Several times 2 aircraft together.
"Swordf ish" dropped 1 or 2 depth charg
when the boat was submerged; the fightors
did not drop any. A "Swordfish" forced us
to withdraw by firing 3*7 cm. guns and we
-1,437-
:::r:A:
submerged at "the most 'favorable moment.
Although it was never established that they
1 radar, . 2 till ran in even in the
twilight Lover they sighted us. From
DO to 1900 in AC 4360 clouds cf smoke ,
bearing 160°. Pursued, lost contact, as
th 3Sel too fast.
24 August
In AC 5499 made submerged attack on 2
3 and 2 frigates. Missed with a
fan- of- two on a frigate, 1 tube-runner.
2 T5 torpedoes fired at a destroyer and a
frigate. Ixplosions after 7 and 9 minutes
respectively. Sinking noises twic~. No
:.rges until an hour later, then
every half hour for 24 hours . 176 depth
charges. No Asdic. Circling procedur-e. -
At times a vee„ol with mortars or
firing device. of 'the
r. After 2C hours, we lost
rs probably owing to the rising
sec . Ju- compress or out of order, slight
•2 .
26 August On the return passage over the convoy route
we heard locations by explosive soundin
i similar noises up to signal strength
r 10 hours over 15 miles. Loud rhyth:
' (roughly a second apart) :. 1 :m a
smithy. Loud, fast deviation. As it could
not be an enemy subm te s it was taken to
be enemy decoys. a identified several of
these apparatus irom clear hydrophone
bearings .
28 - 50 A :t rea soi :ar Islar.
31 August -
1 Sept-
Cycrated against ,f3orgernts formation!
c:';r;.:cnccd return passage* 8 cubic meter .
On the foren~-3n of 1 September in A3 6311,
subm. 3 from 1 "Swordf ish" and 2 fighters.
eriences :
Submerge as quickly as possible from carrier-borne aircraft,
as shadowcrs usually bring many aircraft up in a short time.
If the boat
3i-planes observed 3 times - fighters. Tactics; fight,
attempt to keep the boat on the surface by attacki:
immediately, while summonin inforcements
dives, the bi-plane drops 2 depth charges. If the boat
Lns on the surface lat be kept at n
distance with the 3»7 cm. gun only. Do not man the 2 cm«
gun. As f possible on the bridge, so that if more
fighters approach, quick submerging is possible .
Comments by Captain U-boat:
■ ■■ ... . . a. - ■ ... ...
Well-executed convoy operation. :e order to remain on the
-1,438-
CONFIDENTIAL
surface to fire the anti-aircraft guns could not be giv
in view of the small number of boats .
Captain U-boats, Norway, Most Secret - 4556 - A 0
-1,439-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX II/2
COPY
Most Secret
Teleprinter message;
Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C U-boat3 Ops.
Admiral Commanding U-boats.
For information Naval War Staff, First Division.
For information 11th U-boat Flotilla.
Clear as multiple address message.
Most Secret.
Short report from U 957 (Schaar), fifth operation.
23 July 1944 Put out from Hammer f est .
3 September Put in to Hammerfest.
Proceeded via AF 88 to Kara Sea.
1 August Off Kara Strait , still impassable.
2 August -
6 August Submerged off Yugorski Strait. No ice.
Sighted several small vessels and patrol
vessels .
6 August In AT 8597 missed with a T5 torpedo fir.
at a medium transport . Blowing head
failure before gaining the necessary rango<
Unobserved. Reconnaissance of the eastern
route .
9 August Sighted probable fishing vessels off
Diks on .
11 - 14 August Ice reconnaissance. Refuelled in AS £12
at rendezvous v/ith "Lange" . Ice reconn:
sance.
15 - 22 August Confinod to XA 40 and XA 70 for 5 day. .
Reconnoitorod tho coastal routes, again in
an easterly direction. (Lights, cc u ,
etc . )
24 August Drift ico boundary (XA 7528).
26 August Camouflaged boat. Look-out put down on
the island reported a mast top.
ahead. Sudden burst of flro on spocial
-1,440-
CONFIDENTIAL
27 August
survey ship "Nord", 200 G.R.T., in XA 7553,
not seen from land. Radio transmission
interrupted. Ship was set on fire. Took
prisoners, among them the Communications
Officer, immediate interrogation. Convoys
were to come from the oast. Provisions at
Dikson were short, as supply ship "Marina
Raskova"" was sunk by another U-boat.
Important pronouncements on convoy routes,
lights, harbor occupation, entering,
defenses, etc.
At Matissena drift ice: ships were able to
pass, but it v/as not known if this would
be possible
Unobserved,
Sighted "Catalina" .
at Wilkitzki. Sighted "Catalina''1.
On 28 August ice was breaking.
Unobserved.
28 August
Off Bolushya in XA 7295 5 patrol vessels ;
pursued them eastwards, but lost them as
their speed was 18 knots and they disappeared
in the ice.
30 August
Had to report position, as wo had had no
radio contact and other boats had to be
brought up. Rcconnoitered along the coast
as far as AS 2499 at high speed. At
Jelaniya sighted several "Catalinas",
unobserved.
31 August
In AS 33, no radio communication. Sent
radio message vest of Jelaniya, no
confirmation.
1 September Return passage. Intentions to pass on our
experiences, disembark the Communications
Officer, exchange torpedoes and put out
again. No locations.
Comments by Captain U-boats, Norway;
Well-planned, decisive special operation full of incidents.
Very valuable reconnaissance data.
Result: Russian survey ship "Nord" destroyed, valuable
prisoners taken.
Captain U-boats, Norway Most Secret - 4557 A Ops
-1,441-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX I 1/3
COPY
Most Secret ■
Teleprinter message;
Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C U-boats Oj .
Admiral Commanding U-boats.
For information Naval War Staff, First Division.
For information 11th U-boat Flotilla.
Clear as multiple address message.
Most Secret.
Short report from U 563 (Nees), second operation.
5 August Put out from Harstad.
2 September Put in to Narvik.
Proceeded to attack area AB 9189, depth
of sweep 30 miles, group "Trutz" .
,6 August
7 August
19 August
21 August
22 August
23 August
24 August
Made for AB 5967.'
Made for A3 6795. 3-7 cm. gun out of
order (barrel premature).
Distant explosions since 1500. Up to
21 August no sighting or location.
At 1033 operated at maximum speed against
convoy (PQ 32) reported by U 344 in A5
5450. At 1850 in' AB 6149 "Swordfish" at
a distance of 8,000 meters from us,
submerged, depth charges.
Submerged 4 times because of carrier-borno
aircraft.
Submerged several times from carrier-borne
aircraft.
At 2530 proceedod from AC 5417 to AC 5060.
At 0309 in AC 5491 4 destroyers, speed
14 knots, double linoi istorn. -T5
torpedoes fir^d at the 2 leading destroyers.
Submerged as a third turned toward .
Noise bo.: . 1 explosion after 1 .
nutcs, another after 11«06 minutes.
Sinking noises. Asdic. .thdrew to
reload. 1 depth charr . At 0505 surfac-
-1,442-
:c:t::z:":ai
26 August
27 August
Only 2 destroyers at the place _of torpedoing,
cross course, slight speed. Submerged
some 4 to 5 miles from there.
At 0530 a charges. Immediately went
to 2A. Presume they came from an aircraft
which had been summoned to the position.
0643 T5 torpedo fired at searchir.
destroyer, range 5,000 meter . After
seconds a weak explosion, presumably a
ground- runner .
At 0651 missed a stern T5 torpedo
owing to depth charges .
At 0920 destroyers out of sight. Pro: 3d
via position lines.
AC 1939.
Proceeded from AB 5854
AB 6816.
to attack area
29 August
31 August
1 Septemt
Sa::e - service vessel for ice reconnais:
in AB 6780.
•Op-erated on. r.epprted formation. (AB 61,
s out] torly course).
At 2210 in AB 6491 location on "Naxcs" .
Subr: i. After surfacing,
"axes" location at 0014, loud continuous
lowing note. Presume it is our own boat.
From 0503 in A3 6765, at 1433 proceeded to
AB 9214; submerged 4 Times from "Swordfish",
which circled round our diving position.
Returned regularly to the diving position
every 50 to 40 minutes .
At '2000 in A3--9571 abandoned the operation
because of lack of fuel. Return y .,
experiences :
1. "Sword-fish11 - in without location at altitudes up to
,500 meters. Smoke float at diving positic: Shortly
afterwards- 3 c.ircraft which tool: turns of shadowing.
No depth charges.
rch formation of 4 destroyers in double li ast,
range some 1,000 meters. Apparently only the first two
had noise boxes, the last two had hydrophones. 7irst
depth charge 23 minutes after the torpedo explosion, then
veral at intervals of 5 to 10 minute . Asdic only in
eh procedure .
Comments by Captain U-bca~s, ZTcrway:
The commander acted too cautiously in his first cnco.ur.:
with th .y. The 2 destroyers v/ere probably sunk.
----.-. - eoats, Zi : ' "est Secret -
:575 - A Ot:
-1,443-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX I 1/4
COPY
Most Secrot
Teleprinter message:
Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C U-boats 0.
Admiral Commanding U-bo°ts.
For information Navel War Staff, First Division.
For information 11th U-boat Flotilla.
Clear as multiple address messape.
Most Secret.
Short report from U 956 (I.lohs) seventh ooeration.
(Mines; "Butt 1" ) ■
29 August 1944 Put out from Hammerfest.
5 September Put in to Hammerfest.
30 August
1 September
Proceeded via AC 51 and AC 69.
At 0630 in AC 4683 submerged because of
location.
At 0908 in AT 7213 submerged to observe
Kostin Strait .
No patrol vessels or barriers identified.
At 2348 in AT 7229 alarm: patrol vessel
at the entrance to Kostin Strait. Then
submerged and proceeded to off Belushya
Bay for purposes of observation. (No
patrol vessels or barriers). Visibility
good. No enemy aircraft.
At 0720 in AT 7238 lay on the bottom to
wait for daybreak to lay mines.
At 0120 proceedod inside Bolushya Bay.
Breeze up.
From 0501 to 0500 laid minos. Then put
out submerged. Patrol vessel in Kostin
Strait was not soon again.
At 1150 in AT 7228 aurfacod, commenced
return passage. No further sightings or
locations .
Comments by Captain U-boats, Norwn; :
Well planned minelaying operation in an important Russian
base .
Captain U-boats,. Nor v. u Secret - - .. 1 [
2 September
3 September
-1,444-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX I 1/5
COPY
ost Secret
Teleprinter message:
Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C U-boats 0]
Admiral Commanding U-boats.
For information Naval War Staff, First Division.
For information 11th U-boat Flotilla.
Clear as multiple address message.
Most Secret
Short r
eport from U 992 (Falke ) .second operation.
(mines; "Sprotto I").
29 August, 1944 Put out from Hammerfest.
6 September Put in to Hammerfest.
29 August
30 August
31 August
1 September
2 September
5 September
At 2303 in AC 7219 location on "Wanze" .
Alarm.
At 0452 in AC 4855 short location on
"Naxos". Nothing sighted. Alar .
At 0940 in nC 4S35 aircraft. Flew
past. Tyoe not identified. Alarm.
At 1425 in AC 4657 aircraft. Type not
identified. Alarm.
At 1614 in AC 4655 aircraft sighted for
a short time. 3i-plano. Alarm.
At 0541 short location on "Naxos".
Alarm.
At 0230 in AC 6959 submarine. Pro sumo
it to be Gorman. Alarm.
At 1130 in AT 7154 aircraft. Flew past.
Type not identified. Alarm.
From 2143 until 0035" on 3 September laid
mines north of Kolgucv from submerged
position.
East of AC 56 neither locations nor
continuous aircrft. No traffic obc i.
Coastal lights wore not burning.
At 1600 in AC 5795 aircraft. Flow past.
Type not ntifiod. Alar] .
Comments by Captain U-boats, Norway;
Fairly simple, well-cxccutcd mi~iolaying operation.
Captain U-boat.; , 5 - A
-1,445-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX II/6
COPY
Most Secret
Teleprinter message;
Naval" War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C "J-boat3 Ops.
Admiral Commanding U-boats .
For information Naval War Staff, First Division.
For information 11th U-boat Flotilla.
Clear as multiple address message.
Most Secret.
Short report from U 425 (Bentzien) « fifth operation,
""(mines ; "Dorsch I" ) .
29 August 1944 Put out from Hammerfest.
5 September Put in to Hammerfest.
Proceeded via AC 51 and AC 69.
31 August
1 September
2 September
In AT 7976 lay on the bottom in water,
depth 26 meters .
At 0340 in AT 7976 2 vessels, bearing 030°;
lost sight of them in the direction of the
Pechora entrance.
At 1402 in AT 7972 aircraft, bearing 080°,
course 320°.
At 1655 in AT 7973 land-based aircraft,
bearing 000°, course 200°.
From 2140 to 2310 on the surface, laid 12
TMC mines at the west entrance to Pechora
Bay. Coastal lights burning.
At 0603 in AT 7589 a masthead, bearing
040° Submerged to attack, but did not
sight it again.
At 1108 in AT 7585 convoy of 4 steamers
in two columns, course 120°, 5 escorts.
Fired 2 F.A.T. torpedoes from tube I at
the first column: enemy bow right, angle
80°, speed 8 knots, range 3,000 meters.
At 1116 fired 2 F.A.T. torpedoes from
tube V at the 3ame column: enemy bow right,
angle 93°, speed 9 knots, range 4,000
meters. Both missed through under-
estimation of the distance. Return
passage uneventful.
-1,446-
CONFIDENTIAL
Drifting mines: 29 August AC 4875,
31 August AT 7185.
Presume them to be Russian.
Comments by Captain U-boats., Norway:
Well-executed minelaying" operation under favorable conditions.
Captain U-boats } Norway Most Secret - 4626 -
A Ops.
-1,447-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX II/7
COPY
Most Secret
Teleprinter message;
Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C U-boats Ops.
Admiral Commanding U-boats.
For information Naval War Staff, First Division.
For information 15th U-boat Flotilla.
Clear as multiple .address message.
Most Secret.
Short report from U 968 (Westphalen) third operation,
Tmines ; "Lachs I").
29 July 1944 Put out from Hammerfest.
8 September Put in to Hammerfest.
Proceeded via AC 51 and 69 to AW 31. 2 days'
reconnaissance in the Kanin Nos area. 1
patrol vessel (large fishing vessel).
Stood on and off at 10 miles from the coast.
One boom defense ship near the coast,
temporarily at anchor. Kanin Nos signal
station beside the lighthouse manned
continuously, radio station carried on
lively traffic between the various buildings.
In all, some 12 houses. Tidal current up to
5 miles, strong eddy current off the head-
land at the turn of the tie
No steamers observed.
4 September From 0430 to 0712 laid mines at periscope
depth. Doubtful whether the mines will
remain in position in view of tho strong
ground current. Withdrow at ebb tide.
Patrol vessel was not seen again owing to
the bad weather.
Return passage via AC 68, 45.
Comments by Captain U-boats, Norway:
Well-executed minelaying operation in shallow water in
difficult conditions.
Captain U-boats, Norway Most Secret - -1GGJ - A Ops.
-1,448-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX Il/G
COPY
Most Socrct
Tcloprintor message:
Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C U-boats Oy .
Admiral Commanding U-boa^s.
For information Naval War Staff, First Division.
For information 13th U-boat Flotilla.
Clear as multiple address message.
Most Secret.
Short report from U 705 (Brunner), twelfth operation.
21 August 1944
10 September
21 August
22 August
23 August
24 August
25 August
26 August
Put out from TromsB.
Put in to Harstad.
Proceeded to AC 18. At 2045 operated on
PQ convoy in AB 5450 with group "Trutz" .
From 1551 to 2347 in the southern part of
AC 18, submerged several times from
barrier-borne aircraft.
At 0144 joined patrol line. Steered from
AC 2546 to 2785.
At 0G08 in AC 2771 submerged from carrier-
borne aircraft, later a search formation:
4 destroyers were searching in various
directions from a smoke float, slight
speed, continually altering courses,
impossible to fire a torpedo. Surfaced
at 1039 and hauled to the south.
From 1130 until
0349 continuous carrier-borne aircraft
and "Catalinas" . In AC 5480 numerous
explosions. Proceeded further until
1409, when in AC 3397 wo could gain no
contact. Operation abandoned, withdrew.
At 1803 and
015G a destroyer in AC 5892 and another
in 5957 1 turn pas:: sition
lines .
At 1330 in AC 19 operated on "Lohmann" '
report bJ A i location. At 1727 in AC
1984 very loud location on multi-
hydrophone set, but no sighting; presumed
it to be an enemy submarine
-1,449-
C0NPIDEI7T IAL
27 August
28 Ai ust
Periodicity 1 second, loud cracking liko
rig of dry twigs, often intervals
of 3 to 15 seconds .
Steered to AB 9630.
At 2000 in AE 9655 assumed escort of
meteorological ship "Kohdingcn" (start of
operation "Edelweiss".) Proceeded via
A 28 to Aa 5570.
1 September
0521 in ~A 5415 U.S. coastguard ship
orthland" in sight; at 0620 missed twice
with T5 torpedoes (1 circle-runner, 1
steering failure, apparently caused by
noises in the ice).
At 1120 lost sight of "Northland51 after
pursuit in thick ice (pursuing "Kehdingen").
1754 in AA 2629 forced under the ice by
gunfire from "Northland". Lost contact.
2 September
4 September
5 September
6 September
At 1420 intercepted by shioborne aircraft
alrus"). Lurked in AA 2690 until
0035. Searched east and west coasts of
South Koldewey.
led 3esselsf jord. Only possible clue
in AA 2619 one circular patch of new ice
foe Ion, diameter 300 meters: no trace
of oil or v;reckage .
Presumed "Kehdingen" had fled further north.
.need return passage via AB 43
and 56 .
Comments by Captain U-'oeats, Norway:
1. Unsuccessful operation by experienced Northern Waters
cc. _ier. Boat came upon PQ 32 in the immediate vicinity
ef the carrier escort and did not ree-nage to fire owing
to the strong defenses .
2. It was wrong to use T5 torpedoes in ice; as there would
probably be an echo effect. T3 torpedoes would have been
mere i ..iable.
3. Whereabouts of "Kehdingen" still an open question.
Captain U-boats, '." -■-.:. ::: Secret - 472
- A Cos.
-1,450-
CONFIDENTIAL
*- PENDIX I 1/9
COPY
Most Secret
Teleprinter message;
Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C U-boats Ops.
Admiral Commanding U-boats.
For information Naval War Staff, First Division.
For information 13th U-boat Flotilla.
Clear as multiple address message.
Most Secret .
Short report from U 636 (Schendel), ninth operation,
(mi n r> t ° "^nripl 1 Hi
(mine
orelle I") .
29 August 1944 Put out from Hammerfest.
10 September Put in to Hammerfest.
30 August
5 September
Proceeded via AC 51 and AC 69 to AU 2124.
At 0010 "Naxos" location,
At 0210 in AC 5423 3 destroyers,
apparently Russian. Boat evaded them,
destroyers turned towards at 300 meters,
no depth charges .
From 2007 to 2105 we laid 12 Ti;C mines
according to plan from the surface in
water of 10 - 16 meters depth. a wer
not disturbed.
Drifting mines: 29 August AC 4911, AC 5417,
30 August AC 5435 (2),
9 September AG 4914.
Experiences : Lights burning in Pechora 3ay. No enemy
aircraft or patrols .
Comments by Captain U-boats, Norway:
Well-executed, fairly simple opcratio: . .
Captain U-boats, . '; Socrut - - A • .
-1,451-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX Il/lQ
COPY
Most Secret.
Teleprinter message:
Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C U-boats Ops.
Admiral Commanding U-boats .
For information Naval War Staff, First Division.
For information 13th U-boat Flotilla.
Clear as multiple address message.
Most Secret.
Short report of U 995 (Kflhntopp ) , third operation,
"Tmines ; "Hering. I").
29 August 1944 Put out from Hammerfest. ■
11 September Put in to Hammerfest.
Proceeded via AC 51 and AC 69 to Yugorski
Strait .
29 August At 1758 in *C 4633 "Fliege" location,
submerged.
At 1935 several explosions.
30 August At 0600 in AC 5148 hydrophone bearing in
120°; 2 destroyers, class "AI11, distance
from us 3,000 meters, slight speed.
They approached the boat with slight
zig-zagging to zero position. Dived to
A plus 60 meters. Also a corvette with
. die. None of the vessels wa3 making
more than 50 revolutions, some stopped.
Destroyer turned, passed ahead of the
boat and stopped. 1 depth charge, inexact.
After altering course by 90°, we apparently
lost them.
At 1140 "Wanze" location in AC 5191,
submerged.
At 1700 several explosions.
31 August At 0037 in AC 5279 "Fliege" location,
submerged.
At 1951 in AC 5695 "Fliogo" location,
submerged. The range of tho woll-oporatcd
"Fliege" and "V/anzc" was so accurate that
oven whon signal sti roro high, wo
still had time to salvage the ammunition
and divo without going too vertical: .
-1,452-
CONFIDENTIAL
1 September
4 September
9 September
At 1138 "Fliege" location in AC 6854, sub-
merged.
In the morning off Ivlatveev Island.
Reconnoitered for traffic. Russian radio
beacons in Yugorski Strait gave good bearings.
Searchlight activity off Cape Greben.
Apparent patrol vessels close in to land.
Morse traffic. Assignment carried out
undisturbed on the surface between 2100 and
2200 on 4 September. Depth of water; 21 - 22
meters. On return passage no chance to use
torpedoes .
At 1215 3 land-based aircraft in AC 6955
(type not identified), submerged.
Comments by Captain U-boats, Norway.
Well-executed minolaying operation in shallow water.
• Captain U-boats, Norway Most Secret - 4726 - A Ops.
-1,453-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX III
COPY
Most Secret
Teleprinter message U-boat base Hammerfest (Schaar) Most
Secret 598 of 5 September:
Emergency. Captain U-boats, Norway.
Most Secret.
Situation report, Kara Sea: August 1944 (U 957).
A) 1. Shipping at Dikson: several merchant ships in the
harbor, some of them with steam up, some to be
repaired. Principally eastbound convoys expected,
since Dikson is at present experiencing a shortage
' of food.
Entering directions : Approach from the north, have
2 beacons in line on longitude 80° 22', then close
to the coast, proceed to port on roughly 110°; to
the north lies a boom. Mine positions unknown west
of Dikson Island. Avoid it at all costs. Ob and
Yenisei estuaries are not to be approached. Remain
10 miles north of Dikson.
2. East Siberian Sea route traffic: when the sea route
becomes freed, convoys are to be expected from the
east, also leaving for the east, some of them using
it as a through passage. Primarily only patrol
vessel traffic.
B) Defenses:
(a) Aircraft: 4 "Catalinas" are stationed in Dikson.
Roconnoitered to the east and west, recently
principally to the cast openly without radiolocation.
No strict patrol.
(b) Ships : minesweepers and patrol vessels of a fairly
old type, some of them converted. Fairly 3mall
fishing vessels in the same condition. Light guns
and depth charges. Reported that 4 U.S. anti-
submarine motor vessels arrived (spocd 18 knots).
We observed: boats of 400 - 600 G.R.T., oblique
mast, 4 covered bridges, no funnel, ".ft a cutter
gear for otters, Diesel engine, spocd 15 - 18 knot
said to be made of wood.
C) Mines: presume barrier off Yugorskl Strait, off Dikson
as given out. No personal observation. St way from
Beli/Yamal.
-1,454-
CO.IrlDENTIAL
D) ^earing: short wave D/F set intercepted, probably from
Dikson. .e bearing was very 'inexact .
E) Ice situation: generally bad this year because of the
late spring. Wind alters it very quickly. Boundaries
identified on 28 August fro: Tissena to Russki Islands.
.passable for U-boats. Fairly strong drift ice boundary.
Llkitzki Strait is now presumed to be free. Icebergs
encountered only northwest of Russki.
F) £ envoy route ; two- routes, inner leads and open water
routes. The former is from Dikson close' to the coast
at a distance of 8 to 12 miles passing between island
"Hb.Bd.-Land" (?). Through Matissena to Wilkitzki
Strait. Open water route from Dikson to Scott-Hansen;
have Yermak Bank on the starboard side. In the open
sea to Russki Islands, from there through Wilkitzki
Strait* The routes are used depending on the Ice "position
and the U-boat situation.
Lights : definitely lit: Kamenni, Mor jevo, Wardroper,
Ploski, Scott-Hansen, I.Iikhailova, Sterlegova (only
switched on if traffic is expected), Ringnes, Kravkova
(with a now beacon) .
Shore stations: see Operational Order No. 16, also new
signal station on Mikhailova. Mostly also radio stations.
In addition some hunters and provision stations at
unmentioned places on the uninhabited coast. Ail islands
uninhabited.
Details of depth: the depths on the charts (Russian) are
mostly accurate. Caution is advised in the completely
uncharted areas and in the vicinity of land. Favorable
positions: off Wardroper, Scott-Kansen, Kravkova,
Kaminskogo, Kurs ens tern, Beluji and Pravsy Island (look
out for patrols) off Russki Island and Wilkitzki Strait.
-1,455-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX IV
COPY
Most Secret
Captain U-boats, Norway.
Serial No. Most Secret
148 S.O.s only A Ops.
On board, 12 September, 1944.
Operational Order for U .515 (Zoller).
I. Task:
To penetrate to Kola inlet to attack a battleship in
Vaenga Bay and any other valuable targets there,
particularly behind the net barrier.
II. Enemy situation;
(a)
After an Interval- of 3 months another PQ, convoy
(32) with strong carrier and destroyer escort ran
from 21 to 24 August. Simultaneously another
strong carrier formation attacked the coast
(particularly Ali;af jord) . Further convoys and
carrier formations can now be expected. Types of
participating aircraft "Catalinas", "Swordfish",
"Fulmars"', "Corsairs" (?) with the convoy.
"Barracudas1', ''Soafircs" and "ibrtlets" over the
coast .
22,
24
Also note Northern Waters Directions Nos .
and 30 .
(b) Aerial photographic reconnaissance of Kola Bay
on 6 September showed 1 "R" class battleship and
4 destroyers in Vaenga Bay. It may be the heavy
unit torpedoed by ''Lango" . No patrols intercepted
in Kola inlet on 6 or 7 September except the boom
defonse vessel at the north entrance to Polyarno.
Middle positions of the net barriers observed:
1. Polyarno entrance: (a) 69° 13' N, 35° 26«5» E
from castnortheast to westsouthwest over tho
fjord. (b) 69° 12*4' N, 33° 29"J' E from
castnortheast to westsouthwest over .the fjord.
2. Kislaya Bay: 69° 11-4 ' N, 33° 30' E f:
nortl jrst to southwest "over the ba;
Vaenga - Alish Bay: 69° 05-2' N, 33° 2G-. ' E
from cast to west in a semi-circle across the
ba; .
Varlamova Bay: 69° 4«3« N, 33° 22.8' E b; :t
to west over the bay from Krrsnoshci point.
3
4
5. Mishukov £ay: 69° 02-7' N, 33° 02*8' E from
-1,456-
CONFIDENTIAL
northnorthcast tcr southsouthwcst over tho bay.
6. Murmansk: (a) So lony- Point 68° 59»5« N, 33° 04 » E
over tho bay to Kai Point from northnorthcast
to southsouthwcst in a westerly direction,
(b) Pctushikhin Point: 68° 57' N, 33° 02«5l E
running from a northerly direction across the
bay.
(c) Liino situation:
AC 8851 through 8855 to 8864 presumed to be mined.
Gaps in the fields 4 miles from the northwest
point of Kildin Island. Patrolled by torpedoboat.
Outward route course 040°- via AC 8865. Also a
passage for large ships in the western part of
Kola Bay. Ships coming from the east must take
on pilots at Teriberka: 6 anti-submarine vessels
there. A convoy was steering to Set Point 70° N,
40° E, then on a southerly course in the middle
of the fjord. (Further navigational procedure in
accordance with the attached British chart 2966).
Our own old minefields lie in AC .8580 and from 8826
to 8839. (The aerial photographs of 6 September are
on the way from Kirkenes to Hammerfest; if they do
not arrive before sailing time, details will be
sent by radio) .
Old aerial mines laid on 1 March 1942 lie in the
middle and in the western part of the f airway
between 69° 01' N and 69° 02 ' N.
III. Own forces :
(a) U-boats :
Group "Grimm" in attack areas: U 921 (Werner) AB 53,
U 312 (Nikolay) AB 65, surfacing only to- charge
and to take fixes. Attacks on convoys in accordance
with Northern Waters Order No. 8. U 425 (Bentzien)
and U 997 (Lehmann) putting out from Hammerfest.
Group "Groif" in the east: U 957 (Schaar), U 711
(Lange), U 278 (Franze), U 562 (Franz), U 739
(Mangold) ; radio messages to "Kent" have no
importance for the others .
Special operation: U 307 (Horrlc) in the north.
(b) German Air Force:.
Daily meteorological flights from Trondhcim or
Banak to Jan Mayen and Boar Island (He Ills,
Ju 88s, FW 200s, 3V 138s). After sailing, another
reconnaissance of Vaenga Bay is intended.
IV. Execution:
1. Put out from Narvik - Ramsund on 12 September.
Report time of sailing on "MC" .
-1,457-
CONFIDENTIAL
2. Proceed to Hammerfest on route "Rot", pilot from
LBdingen to TromsB, escorted by 2nd Inshore
Defenses Unit from TromsB to "SR 1". If it is
necessary to wait at Hammerfest, a radio order
will follow. Report passing of "SR 1" on
frequency "Anton I" .
3. Proceed at increased speed to AC 86 at a distance
of 50 miles from the coast.
4. After a short reconnaissance, penetrate into
Murmansk Fjord as quickly as possible, as the
battleship is expected to put out again soc: .
Dre exact findings of air reconnaissance will be
transmitted.
5. After the execution, withdraw to report the result.
If the boat has to be abandoned, it is to be blown
up and all the secret materiel destroyed. The T5
torpedo is to be launched. As many other torpedoes
as possible at the main target.
6. After reporting the result, orders will be given
by radio for further operations or return passage.
Further procedure and data in accordance with
Operational Order No. 15.
V . Communications arrangements :
U-boat Northern Waters frequency. "MC11 as far as
Harstad, from there to Hammerfest switch to "Anton I" .
Special keys in force for the operation. In encoding
for Officers only, all 4 sections are moved 8 letters
forward. Codeword "Dachs". Short signals arc to be
ready for transmission of success or failure.
VI. Equipment ; Shallow water equipment, delivery of any
extraneous printed matter in Hammerfest.
Torpedoes? 9 T3 torpedoes with Pi He (pistol), 1 T5
torpedo in stern tube.
VII. The crew is not to be informed of the aim of the
operation and shouM be expressly instructed to keop
it secret after the operation.
This order is to be destroyed if the boat is abandoned,
otherwise it should be returned tc Captain U-boats on
return.
p.p. Reche.
-1,458-
CONFIDENTIAL
WAR DIARY
OP
CAPTAIN U-BOATS, NORWAY
«■ ■ «■■«■«..!
1-15 OCTOBER, 1944
PG/31866
CONFIDENTIAL
1 October, 1944.
A. Enemy situation:
I. Air reconnaissance ;
Flieger Fuehrer 4:
1 JulOBon meteorological reconnaissance in the
area west of tho Faeroes from 0620 to 1315.
South Faeroes examined, no shipping apart from
fishing vessels.
Fliegcr Fuehrer 5;
2 BV 138 on coastal inshore waters reconnaissance.
First aircraft in sea area AB 9516 - AC 4776 -
1753 - AB 9644 from 0059 to 0442. Second aircraft
in sea area AB 9633 - 9845 - AF 3731 - AB 9.858
from 0453 to 1033. Operation broken off because
of insufficient ..Qloud cover. Areas exhaustively
e xami ne d , • - e n'e'my frjbt si ght e d .
II. Reports on the 6nemy;
(a) By U-boats -t
Report of convoy from "Ley". Destroyer
sighted by "Ley". U 956 (Mohs) reported
hydrophone pursuit by 2 minelayers. (For
radio messages, see IV (a)).
(b) By air reconnaissance:
An aerial photograph of Murmansk harbor taken
on 30 September showed almost, the same number
of merchant ships as on the previous days,
but the "Nelson" class battleship was missing
and also the 2 auxiliary aircraft carriers
and 7 destroyers. This confirms the
assumption that most of the QP convoy now
under way sailed from Archangel while tho
escorting forces sailed from Murmansk to
meet it.
(c) By naval forces: None.
(d) By radio intercept servico:
Iokanka area: 1 guardship, 2 guardboats .
G-orlo Strait/Archangel area: dostroyor
"Deyatolni" , 1 guardship, 1 minolayor,
3 minesweepers , 2 guardboats.
Dikson area: 3 minesweepers.
Britain: on 30 September 2 British carriors
were picked up in radio traffic with aircraft,
Svanvik obtained bearings of 315° at 0825 and
293° at 1945. Svanvik took a bearing of 256°
on a British unit at 0544 on 30 September.
-1,459-
CONFIDENTIAL
B.
III.
Britain: no units intercepted in the Polyarno/
Archangel area.
The battlo group already intercepted in the
northern part of Northern Waters received an
operational radio message . from Clectherpcs in
the North Sea/Northern Waters broadcast. The
formation had apparently been transferred from
the northern part of Northern Waters to the
North Sea/Northern Waters area. Radio messages
to probable convoy escort forces are still only
transmitted in the North Sea/Northern Waters
broadcast .
At 1415 Belushya sent a message to subordinate
stations, warning of surprise attacks by
U-boats and issuing regulations for procedure
(destruction of "Sterlegova" by U 957).
18th Group: very lively flying activity (40
. aircraft) with greatest concentration in the
afternoon" and evening.
(e) By G.I. 3. stations: None.
U-boats :
U-boat positions and alterations of position:
(a) Positions at 0800:
Group "Grimm" :
U 312 AB 6750
U 425 AB 9440
U 997 AB 9350
U 737 AB 9410
U 956 AB 9720
Group "Zornn:
operating on QP 30.
u
968
AB
9430 )
u
668
AB
9450 )
u
310
AB
9540 )
u
995
AB
9150 )
u
293
AB
90 )
u
363
AB
9430 )
u
636
AB
8640 )
u
365
AB
9430 )
u
315
AB
9240 )
u
921
AB
90 )
u
992
AB
9170 )
u
965
AB
4920 )
operating on QP 30.
U 307 north of &G 89 on special operation.
U 703 southwest of AE 23 on special operation.
U 313 AC 88 on special operation.
In port:
U 771 Narvik,
U 1163 Trondhoim,
U 295 Stavanger,
U 716 Kiel.
-1,460-
CONFIDENTIAL
(b) U-boats homeward and outward bound:
0615 U 965 on return passage from AB 4595 to join
in the convoy oporation.
0811 U 997 on return passago from AB 9542 to
Andf jord - Narvik.
1125 U 921 on return passage from AB 90 to
Andf jord - Narvik.
1147 U 312 on return passago from AB 90 to
Andf jord - Narvik.
2245 Group "Grimm" on return passage: U 315,
U 293, 992, to Hammerfest: U 310, 363, 387,
365, 425, 636, 668, 737, 965, 968, 995,
956 to Narvik.
U 307 on return passage from Hg 80 to
Hammerfost .
1930 U 739 put in to Hammerfest from Kara Sea,
U 362, 711, 957 on return passago to
Hammerfest from Kara Sea.
2100 U 295 put out from Stavangor on transfer
passage to Trondheim via Bergen.
IV. Current U-boat operations:
(a) Operation against QP 50 convoy:
Flieger Fuehrer 5 announced that there would
be a reconnaissance by 1 BV 138 at 0200. At
our request, however, it took off at 0100 on
coastal inshore waters reconnaissance.
0240 Short signal 0220/755 received from U 310
(Ley) :
"Convoy bearing 090° according to hydrophone.
My position is AB 9251."
0330 Short signal 0510/754 received from "Ley":
"Convoy bearing 190° according to hydrophone.
My position is AB 9258."
0648 Short signal 0528/755 received from "Ley":
11 1 destroyer. My position i3 AB 9518."
0640 Flieger Fuehrer 5 reported that 1 BV 133 had
taken off at 0453 on another coastal inshore
waters reconnaissance.
0705 Short signal 0645/757 received from "Ley":
"1 destroyer. My position is AB 9545."
0730 Short signal 0655/758 received from "Loy" :
"Reported destroyer was Gornan U-boat."
-1,461-
CONFIDENTIAL
0950 Flioger Fu r 5 reported that the coastal
inshore waters reconnaissance aircraft had not
sighted the enemy. However, reconnaissance by
1 aircraft covered only one sea area through
which the convoy , given a northerly course,
might already have passed.
1150 Radio message 0950/762 received from "Ley":
"Nothing found on southerly search courses,
suspect sharp northwesterly deviation this
morning. Operating further in 250°. My
.position is AB 9519."
1226 Radio message 1005/765 sent:
"1. Air reconnaissance on northwesterly courses
had no results. Presume convoy made a
sharp deviation to the north to shake off
U-boats during darkness.
2. If no other information is available, make
for patrol line from AB 5816 to 8669 at
high cruising speed, in the following
order: "Unverzagt", "Falke", "Zoller ,
"".Vedemeyer", "Buchler", "Nees", "Westphaleif,
"Eickstedt", "Schendel", "Kohntopp",
"Nlingspor", "Ley", "Nikolay", "Bontzien",
wLehmannt!, "Brasack", "Mohs". Form new
group ■' "-ririrr." .
3. Report immediately if four- engine d land-
based planes or flying boats appear.
Avoid unnecessary air attacks."
After signals had been received from U 997 and
U 312 reporting' operations broken off,
1259 radio message 1214/768 was sent:
"Group "Grimm" :
"Lehmann" and "Nikolay": return to Andfjord.
U-boats from "3entzien" to "Unverzagt" close in
in a southerly direction to fill the empty
positions ."
2152 Radio message 1915/776 received from "Mohs":
"Hydrophone pursuit from 2"mlnelayers in AB
8666, otherwise no information regarding
convoy."
As the convoy was no longer within range of
our shore-based planes, the U-boats were
ordered to return to avoid unnecessary losses.
2343 Radio message 2247/779 sent to group "Grimm":
"1. Cease operations.
-1,462-
CONFIDENTIAL
2. "Zoller", "Klingspor" and "Falke" : out in
to Hammerfest.
3. "Ley", "Nees", "Buchler", "Wedemeyor" ,
"Bentzien", "Schendel", "Eickstedt",
"Brasack". "Unverzagt", "Westphalen" ,
"KBhntopp", and "Mohs": put in to Narvik.
4. The failure of this operation- cannot shake
us off and offers us more chance of
gathering all our forces for the next PQ,
convoy.
5. Plan: to have as many U-boats as possible
ready by the middle of October."
(b) Operational measures to intercept enem;
traffic:
15 boats (groups "Grimm" and "Zorn" ) opcrati
on qP 30.
(c ) Special operations by single boats:
U 307 (Herrle) with coastguard ship "Busch"
on operation "Haudegen"
IT 703 (Brunner) laying meteorological buoys
"Ernst" and "August".
U 313 (Schweiger) in Kola Bay as group "Fuchs".
Radio message 0615/756 received from U 965
(Unverzagt ) :
"Have completed mission. My position is AB
4559."
"Unverzagt" thus reported completion of
operation "Edelweiss II", no special feature
mentioned. Tho U-boat was already on return
passage and was immediately detailed to
operate on the convoy.
(d) Miscellaneous:
A radio message from "Schaar" transmitted
to "Lango" and "Mangold".
1855 Radio message 1648/51 received from U 957
(Schaar) :
"Request strict secrecy regarding operation
"Stcrlogova" . No booty to be discmbarkod in
Hammerfest . "
1010 Radio message 0811/760 received from U 997
(Lchmann) :
"Ceased operations in AB 9542. Very loud
noises for scvon hours when submorgod, ovon
0640
-1,463-
CONFIDENTIAL
1200
1225
V.
C.
0415
1400
D.
E.
0415
slowest speed, apparently caused by rattling
of radio receiver. These make all hydrophone
bearings and unobserved underwater attack
impossible. Cannot be attended to with tools
on board."
Short signal 1147/765 received from "Nikolay":
"Am ceasing operations because of fuel shortage."
Radio message 1125/766 sent:
11 "Werner" : continue return passage."
"Werner" had already reported some time age
that his boat v/as no longer at full operational
readiness. At- the beginning of the operation,
he was already homeward bound and should have
transmitted this report before he was ordered
to position as escort beat.
Reports of successes :
U 965 (Unverzagt) reported operation "Edelweiss II"
completed.
Surface forces :
Teleprinter message Naval Chief Command, Norway Most
Secret 0994 to 4th Destroyer Flotilla received:
"In view of the enemy situation, transfer
immediately to TromsB."
Teleprinter message Naval Chief Command, Norway
Most Secret 01033 to 4th Destroyer Flotilla
received:
"4th Destroyer Flotilla at normal readiness.
Intend to move it back to Alta shortly. 4th
Destroyer Flotilla proposes execution in view of
repairs intended in Bogen Bay."
Organizational :
Captain U-boats, West will take over command of
U-boats in his area from 11th U-boat Flotilla at
1200 on 1 October.
Survey of the situation:
1. Naval Chief Command, Norway wired:
"U-boat reported convoy at 2107 in AB 9386, cour
210°, speed 9 knots. Battleship or carrier
formation at 2105 in AC 4784. 3oth formations
presumably turned off to the northwest. Contact
lost. Suspect our U-boats were outmaneuvered
by wide tacking. However, as the first sighting
-1,4-64-
CONFIDENTIAL
was made near land, tho fi r. n might
operating against tho coast. Luftflot
promise reconnaissance of insh^ a
breadth ..f 25 milos from 66° N to 20° E
tomorrow if there is cloud cover."
2. U-boat situatirn in Northern ■/ oOO:
QP 50:
"After contact was lest by "Bentzion", the
convoy was not intercepted again either by
aircraft or by the boats, although they
searched independently for 14 hours. Patrol
line, ordered for noon on 1 October also
obtained no information apart from sighting
2 minelayers at 1915 in AB 8666. Operatxons
broken off because of lack of information and
danger of anti-submarine sweeps by enemy
aircraft ."
The convoy's disappearance is puzzling as most of
the boats have meanwhile come up and must be
searching. The air reconnaissance flown again by
1 aircraft after U 425 lost contact was very
inadequate and, given northerly or southerly
course, a. convoy could have passed unobserved.
When boats are searching independently, there is
a danger that they all collect in the same sector,
the enemy recognizes the gap by locating planes and
so the convoy escapes. As tho U-boats' positi".
are uncertain, the order for a planned search
v/ould probably be of doubtful value. If tho
convoy had made a northerly deviation, the patrol
line to which the boats wore orderod would still
have had a chance of intercepting it. It now
seems as if it might have forced its way through
to the south close under the coast, a possibilit
with v/hich the U-boat commanders probaely aid
not reckon.
(Signed) Suhron.
2 October, 1944.
A . Enemy situation :
I. Air reconnaissance:
Fliegcr Fuehrer 4:
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance west of
the Faeroes from 0528 to 1340. North Facroos
incxhaustivoly examined because of thin drifting
clouds .
-1;
CONFIDENTIAL
II . Reports on the enemy,
(a) By U-boats: None.
(b) By air reconnaissance; None.
( c ) By naval forces : None .
(d) By radio intercept service:
2 operational and 2 very urgent radio messages
to probable convoy escort, 1 operational radio
message to suspected British battle group.
More radio messages probably to smaller group.
Radio message transmission still only for North
Sea/Northern Waters area. Escort has therefore
reached the more northerly North Sea area. No
information regarding presence of British naval
forces in the northern part of Northern Waters .
In the evening lively operational radio traffic,
probably to the southeast coast of England,
escort and carrier frequencies.
For North Soa/Northern Waters area: at 0610
very quiet transmission on escort wave, so the
escort is still at sea. Very lively flying
activity by 18th Group, reconnoitcring the
southwest coast of Norway.
Iokanka area: 2 guardships , 1 guardboat .
Gorlo Strait/Archangel area: destroyer "E", 2
guardships, 2 guardboats, 1 motor minesweeper.
Belushya/Kara Sea area: 1 guardship, 4 mine-
sweepers .
Dikson area: 1 minelayer, 2 guardboats.
Britain: no units intercepted in the Polyarno/
Archangel area.
Radio messages of first priority from Archangel
to all naval forces in Northern Waters, from
Solovets to all naval forces in the White Sea
and from Bclushya to Dikson.
Bearings: Svanvik took a bearing of 259° on a
British unit at 0225 on 2 October.
Hammerfest took a bearing of 316° on a U_. S.. .
formation or vessel at 1730.
(e) By G.I.S. stations: None.
B. U-boats :
III. U-boat positions and alterations of position:
(a) Positions at 0800:
Group !tFuchs'f;
U 313 AC 88 in the attack area,
U 703 southwest of AE 23 on special operation.
-1,466-
CONFIDENTIAL
In port:
U 278, 739, 957 Hammerfest,
U 771, 997 Narvik,
U 1163 Trondheim,
U 716 Kiel.
(b) U-boats homeward and outward bound:
U 992, 293, 515 on return passage from AB 90
to Hammerfest.
U 307 on return passage from Xg 80 to
Hammerfest .
U 362, 711 on return passage from Kara Sea
to Hammerfest.
0700 U 278, 957 put in to Hammerfest from Kara Sea.
1700 U 425 put in to Harstad from operational arc .
U 921 on return passage from AB 90 to
Andf jord - Narvik.
1600 U 956 put in to Harstad from the operational
area.
U 310, 363, 365, 387, 668, 737, 965, 968,
995 on return passage from AB 90 to
Andf jord - Narvik.
1830 U 278, 739, 957 put out from Hammerfest for
Narvik.
1900 U 771 put out from Narvik - Bogen for
Hammerfest .
1900 U 636 put in to Harstad, at 2300 put out
again for TromsB.
0245 U 997 put out from Harstad, at 0700 put in to
Narvik.
1020 U 312 passed "Schwarz 25'1 on passage to
Harstad, at 1205 put in to Harstad, at
1610 put out for Narvik.
U 295 proceeding from Stavanger via Bergen
to Trondheim.
IV. Current U-boat operations:
( a ) Convoy operations : None .
(b) Operational measures to intercept enemy traffic:
U 313 in attack area AC 88.
(c ) Special operations by single boats:
U 703 (Brunner) laying meteorological buoys
"Ernst" and "August".
U 313 (Schweigor) in Kola Bay as group "Puchs".
(d) Miscellaneous :
As "Werner" ought to have put in and no
information had been received 3ince 24
Septomber,
0042 radio moss 0013/715 wa3 sont:
" "Werner": report position immediately . ''
-1,467-
CONFIDENTIAL
1245 Radio message 1117/800 sent?
"U 307 (Herrle) : continue return passage from
AC 16 with coastguard ship "Busch" to Hammerfest.
"Busch" is a fishing smack of 350 G-.R.T., no
foremast , after mast of same height as funnel,
davits and large bridge amidships. Do not
stop her."
Transfer order for U 771 (Block):
" 1. Put out from Narvik - Bogen on the evening
of 2 October. Report time of sailing
promptly on "MC" .
2. Proceed through Tjeldsund - Finnsnesrennen
to TromsB. With pilot from LBdingen to
TromsB. From TromsB to Hammerfest with
escort cf 2nd Inshore Defenses Unit. 2nd
Inshore Defenses Unit has been informed.
Current escorts can be used.
'3. Radio frequency; "MC" as far as Harstad,
"Anton I" from Harstad. Northern Waters
very long wave is to be covered continuously
from Narvik onwards .
4. 12 hours' readiness in Hammerfest/'
V. Reports of successes: None.
VI. U-boat reports :
Teleprinter message Most Secret 5039 sent to Naval
War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C U-boats:
Short report from U 997 (Lehmann) third operation,
see Appendix 11/17"
C . Surface forces :
Nothing to report.
D. Survey of the- situation:
Re II (d):
"The- swift advance of the QP convoy seems to confirm
the assumption that it escaped from our U-boats to
the south under tjfae coast.
According to experience wo may expect the next
convoy again in the middle of the month. Before
then as many boats as possible will be made
ready and, if possible, receive intermediate wave
D/F sets. U 394 (Borgcr) used it to good effect
against PQ, 32 and it can probably replace air
reconnaissance to a large extent in the taking of
bearings on convoy radio traffic.
-1,468-
CONFIDENTIAL
Meanwhile a fow meteorological operations aro .
being carried out. Only Schnorchol boats in
Kola Bay are finding what wo hope are more
profitable operations ."
(Signed) Suhrcn.
5 October, 1944.
A. Enemy situation;
I. Air reconnaissance:
Flioger Fuehrer 5:
1 BV 138 on meteorological reconnaissance, route
TromsB - AB 6751 - AB 4861 - Tromso from 0509 to
1315. Route exhaustively examined, enemy not
sighted.
II . Reports on the enemy:
(a) By U-boats : None.
(b) 3y air reconnaissance: None.
(c) By naval forces : None.
(d) By radio intercept service:
Murmansk area: destroyer "BM .
Pummanki area: 3 M.T.B.s.
Iokanka area: 3 guardboats, 1 MO-boat.
G-orlo Strait/Archangel area: 2 guardships, 1
minesweeper , 3 guardboats.
Belushya/Kara Sea area: 1 guardship, 2 mine-
layers, 2 minesweepers.
Britain: no units intercepted in the Polyarno/
Archangel area.
Bearings: Hammerfest took a bearing of 316°
on an Allied unit at 1730 on 2 October.
Svanvik took bearings of 257° on a British
unit at 1747 on 2 October and 265° on British
radio traffic (presumably carrier) at 1855.
(e) By G.I.S. stations: None.
B. U-boats:
III. U-boat positions and alterations of position:
(a) Positions --.r
Group "Fuchs" :
U 313 AC 83 in attack area.
-1,469-
CONFIDENTIAL
U 703 southwest of AE 23 on special operatic. .
In port i
U 312, 997 Narvik,
U 1163 Trondheim,
U 295 Bergen,
U 716 Kiel.
(b) U-boats homeward and outward bound:
U 362 on return passage from Kara Sea to
Hammerfest.
U 307 on return passage from AG 80 to
Hammerfest .
U 921 on return passage from A3 90 to Andf jord •
Narvik.
U 293 on return passage from AB 90 to
Andf jord - Narvik.
1055 U 995 put in to Harstad from A3 90, at 1420
put out again, at 2015 put in to Narvik.
0824 U 737 put in to Harstad from A3 90, at 1104
put out again, at 1630 put in to Narvik.
0630 U 387 put in to Harstad from AB 90, at 1000
put out again, at 1500 put in to Narvik.
0840 U 310 put in to Harstad from AB 90, at 1420
put out again, at 2000 put in to Narvik.
0945 U 363 put in to. Harstad from A3 90, at 1420
put out again, at 2015 put in to. Narvik.
0945 U 968 put in to Harstad from A3 90, at 1532
put out again, at 2200 put in to Narvik.
1000 U 965 put in to Harstad from AB 90, at 1420
put out again, at 2000 put in to Narvik.
1100 U 711 put in to Hammerfest from Kara Sea, at
1630 put out for Narvik.
2028 U 668 put in to Narvik from AB 90.
1520 U 315, 992 put in to Hammerfest, U 992 put out
at 1700 for Narvik.
1100 U 771 put in to Tromso from Narvik, at 1630 put
out for Hammerfest.
0900 U 636 put in to Tromso from Harstad.
0535 U 278, 739, 957 passed Tromso, at 1630 put in
to Narvik.
0400 U 425, 956 put out from Harstad, at 0900 put
in to Narvik.
0652 U 365 passed Harstad.
1930 U 1163 put out from Trondheim for Narvik.
IV. Current U-boat operations :
(a) Convoy operations? None.
(b) Operational measures to -intercept enemy
traffic:
1 boat in attack area AC 88.
(c) Special operations by single boats;
U 313 (Schweiger) in Kola Bay as group "Puchs" .
-1,470-
CONFIDENTIAL
5L7(* Lgr) laying meteorological buo-
"Ernst" and "August".
(d) Miscellaneous^:
In reply to queries to the Mfcin Haval D/P
Station, Xirkenes as to whether the s .ig
of the destroyer of "Grosny" class by "Schaar"
had been mentioned by radio,
1255 teleprinter message Main Naval D/P Station,
Kirkenes Most Secret 00302 was- received:
"Reference your Most Secret 5042 of 2 October:
We have no information from radio traffic or
any other source to the effect that a
destroyer was Vunk in Kara Sea between 15
and 28 September."
V, Reports of successes: None.
C . Surface forces :
Nothing to report,
D. .. Survey of' the situation:'
Re IV ( c ) :
,fU 7CG (.Br'fonor) is keeping us waiting for his
first signal. on the laying of metcorologic 1
transmit Ling 5uoys" off Iceland. Above all, ho
requires exceptionally favorabl ather conditions
as he must open the torpedo, hatch and at the same
time bo as secure as possible from surpr '
enemy aircraft. As the boat was approaching ire
the north, there were not likely to be strong
enough forces of aircraft, to force undo: 3r
procedure. .could "uhen be comparatively safe
from location from the air by keeping close under
the coast. !J
(Signod) S.uhron.
4 October, 1944-.
A. Enemy situation:
i ■ ■ i ' - -— ---- ■»■■■■
I. Air reconnaissance :
Flicger ror 5 :
1 BV 138 on meteorological reconnaissance, route
.lief jord - Bear Island - Billcf jord from 04^1
to 0742. Broken off in AC 4468 bocausc or lac
of cloud co Route exhaustively examined,
nothing to report.
-1,471-
::::7::z::_ial
1 3F 109 on visual reconnaissance of Kola Bay.
Examination made from 5,600 meters from Murmansk
to Pinagori point from 1350 to 1355. Vaenga Bay
not examined because of dense clouds .
Fiieger Fuehrer 5:
1 BV 138 on meteorological reconnaissance, route
TromsB - AA 9367 - TromsB from 0421 to 1339.
Route exhaustively examined, enemy not sighted.
II. Reports on the enemy;
(a) By U-boats i None.
(b) By air reconnaissance;
5 freighters of 8,000 G.R.T. in Murmansk
harbor.
(c) By naval forces : None.
(d) By radio intercept service;
Murmansk area; destroyer "B" .
Gorlo Strait/Archangel area; destroyers "E",
UJM, "P", "Deyatelni", 1 guardship, 1 mine-
sweeper.
Bearings; Kammerfest took a bearing of 312° on
a U.S. unit at 0210 on 4 October.
1155 1st Battle Group reported;
"Cleethorpos transmitted 3 radio messages of
no special priority, presumably to forces with
Q,P convoy. 2 operational messages were .
probably directed to a smaller group at sc .
The battlo group, observed until now in radio
traffic, no longer appears. ll
(c) By G.I.S. stations; None.
B. U-boats ;
III. U-boat positions and alterations of position;
(a) Positions at 0800;
■U 313 in attack area AC 88 as group "Fuchs" .
U 703 southwest of AE 23 on special operation.
In port;
U 293, 307, 315, 771 Hammerfcst,
U 636 TromsB,
U 278, 310, 312, 363, 387, 425, 668, 737, 739,
956, 957, 965, 968, 995, 997 Narvik,
U 295 Bergen,
U 716 Kiel.
-1,472-
CONFIDENTIAL
(b) U-boats homeward and outward bound:
0100 U 307 .put in to Hammerfest from &G 80.
1200 U 992 put in to Harstad from AB 90, at 1830
put out again, at 2330 put in to Narvik.
0645 tf 771 put in to Hammerfe3t from Narvi.
1730 U 711 put in to Narvik from Hammerfest.
0330 U 1163 put out from Trondheim on open water
passage to Narvik.
IV. Current U-boat operations:
(a) Convoy operations: None.
(b) Operational measures to intercept enemy
traffic:
1 boat in attack area AC 88.
(c ) Special operations by single boats;
U 703 (Brunner) laying meteorological buoys
''Ernst" and "August".
U 313 (Schweiger) in Kola Bay as group "Fuchs".
V. Reports of successes: None.
VI. U-boat reports:
Short report from U 512 (Nikolay), fourth
• operation, see Appendix 1 1/4.
Short report from J 425 (Bentzien)-, sixth
operation, see Appendix [1/3 .
Short report from U 956 (I.fnhs), seventh
operation, see Appendix II/2."
C • Surface forces:
Nothing to report.
D. Plans :
Teleprinter message Naval Chief Command, Norway,
Operations Staff, Most Secret 1245 F I,S.0.s only:
"Answers to following questions are requested for
the operations in Vaenga Bay:
1. Where can 4 "Marder" (midget submarines) bo
installed on a U-boat?
2. Where can the "Marder" be regulatod for tho
last time before the oporation?
3. What is tho mine situation for tho crossing to
and in Kola Bay?
4. What local conditions provail in Kola 3ay
(patrol positions-, net bar-rages , etc.)?
-1,473-
CONFIDENTIAL
5. Is It possible for the U-boat to remain off
Kola Bay to pick up the returning "Harder" ?
The operation will be know as "C&sar" . Reply
requested on the basis of "Zoller" !s experiences."
In reply, teleprinter message Most Secret S.O.s
only 174/44 P Ops was sent?
"To Naval Chief Command, Norway,.. Operations Staff,
for information Naval War Staff, Second Division,
C-in-C U-boats Ops...
Re 1. Narvik or Trondheim.
— — Re '2". Torpedo Command Ramsund or repair ship in
Narvik.
Re 5. "Zoller" used. convoy approach learned from
P.O.W. ■. statements t and approached submerged
at shallow depth.' No mines intercepted as
far as Salni island.
Re 4. Several times daily anti-submarine sweep in
outer Kola Bay,., unskilled; "Zoller" remained
at 18 meters, was run over several times
v/ith Asdic but never picked up.
Patrol vessels, some with Asdic, at anchor on
both sides of fjord. App-a*rently guarded
ant i- submarine net barrage- on both sides of
Salni. ..is land from about 6 meters, possibly
to the soft-bed, buoys not visible, no mines
confirmed as deep as A - 40.
Re 5". "ivlarder" can bo picked up by Schnorchel boat."
E. Survey of the situation;
Re II (d):
"It might be profitable to observe the Q,P convoy,
which we have missed, as it puts In to port.
Movements in Gorlo Strait indicate the assembling
of PQ, 33. Possibly the next PQ, convoy may be
expected earlier this time."
Re D;
"The operation by the small battle units planned
against Kola Bay is welcomed."
(Signed) Suhrcn.
-1,474-
CONFIDENTIAL
5 October, 1944.
A. Enemy situation:
I. Air reconnaissance:
— — -■— ----- i ■ ■
Flieeer Fuehrer 4:
■- — *- r ,
1 Ju 188 on meteorological reconnaissance in the
area west of the Faeroes from 0552 to 1228.
Route 15% examined, Faeroes not examined because
of weather, nothing to report.
Flieger Fuehrer 5:
1 BV 138 on meteorological reconnaissance, route
TromsB - AB 6192 - TromsB from 0422 to 0906.
Operation broken off at 0710 because of technical
breakdown, exhaustive, enemy not sighted.
II. Reports on the enemy:
(a) By U-boats : None.
(b) By air reconnaissance: None.
(c) By naval forces : None.
(d) By radio intercept service:
Gorlo Strait/Archangel area: destroyer "E" .
18th Group: very lively flying activity
(44 aircraft) with no identifiable focal
point .
All broadcasts reveal that tho QP convoy and
escort forces must have reached homo waters.
( c ) By G.I.S. stations i None .
B. U-boats :
III. U-boat positions and alterations of position:
(a) Positionsi at 0800:
Group "Fuchs":
U 313 AC 88 in the attack aroa.
U 703 southwest of AE 23 on special oporation,
In port:
U 293, 307, 315, 771 Hammcrfost,
U 636 TromsB,
U 278, 310, 312, 363, 365, 387, 425, 668,
711, 737, 739, 956, 957, 965, 968, 992, 995,
997 Narvik,
U 295 Trondhoim,
U 716 Kiel.
-1,475-
C0x\TFIDENTIAL
(b) U-boats homeward and outward bound:
1800 U 507 put out from Hammcrfest for Narvik.
0205 U 295 put in to Trondheim from Borgon.
U 1163 proceeding from Trondheim to Narvik.
IV. Current U-boat operations .
(a) Convoy operations: None.
(b) Operational measures to intercept enemy
traffic:
1 boat in attack area AC 88.
(c) Special operations by single boats:
U 703 (Brunner) laying meteorological buoys
"Ernst" and "August" ."
U 313 (Schweiger) in Kola Bay, group "Fuchs".
(d) Miscellaneous :
Transfer order for U 278 (Franze), U 711
(Lange), U 759 (Mangold) and U 957 (Schaar):
11 1. Put out from Narvik on the morning of 6
October. Boats will have covered "MC"
sinee noon- on 5 October.
2. Proceed to LBdingen and from there in
escort via inner leads to Trondheim.
Time of sailing of escort from LBdingen
will be previously transmitted to the U-boats
on "MC". Boats will arrive punctually at
LBdingen. U-boats have been reported to
63rd Patrol Vessel Flotilla in LBdingen
and to Naval Harbor Master at port of next
change of escort (BodB or Mosjoen).
. 3. "MC" as far as LBdingen, from LBdingen
radio frequency "Anton II", from Narvik
Northern Waters very long wave. Report
sailing from LBdingen to Captain U-boats
on "MC".
4. Firing range of 63rd Patrol Vessel Flotilla
off TranBy (from LBdingen to 15° 30' E)."
V. Reports of successes: None.
C . Surface- forces:
Nothing to report.
D. Survey of the situation:
No comments .
(Signed) Suhren.
-1,476-
CONFIDENTIAL
G October, 1944.
A. Enemy situation:
I . Air reconnaissance:
Flieger Fuehrer 4.
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance west of
the Faeroes from 0515 to 1255. Faeroes not
examined, enemy not sighted.
Flleger Fuehrer 5:
1 BV 138 on meteorological reconnaissance, route
Tromso" - AH 9931 - AB 3437 - Tromso from 0515
to 1607. Route exhaustively examined, enemy not
sighted.
II. Reports on the enemy:
(a) By U-boats : None. ■
(b) By air reconnaissance: None.
(c) By naval forces: None.
(d) By radio intercept service:
Iokanka area: destroyer "Q", 1 minesweeper .
Gorlc Strait/Archangel area: destroyers "G" ,
"S", 1 minesweeper.
Belushya/Xara Sea area: 1 ice-breaker, 1
guardboat .
Russian radio traffic: slight.
(e) By G.I.S. stations: None.
B. U-boats :
III. U-boat positions and alterations of position:
(a) Positions at 0800: '
Group "Fuchs" :
U 313 AC 88 in the attack area.
U 703 southwest of AE 25 on special operation.
In port:
U 293, 315, 771 Hammerf^st,
U 636 Tromso,
U 278, 310, 312, 363, 365, 387, 425, 668, 711,
737,739, 956, 957^ 965, 968, 992, 995, 997,
1163 Narvik,
U 295 Trondhoim,
U 716 Kiel.
-1,477-
CONFIDENTIAL
1500
1354
1100
0730
IV,
0735
1116
1048
V.
VI.
C.
(b) U-boats homeward and outward bound;
U 636 put out from TromsB for Hammerfest.
U 307 put in to Tromso from Hammerfest ; at
1600 put out for Narvik.
U 278, 711, 739, 957 put out from Narvik via
inner leads to Trondheim.
U 1163 put in to Narvik from Trondheim.
Current U-boat operations :
(a) Convoy operations : None:
(b) Operational measures to intercept enemy traffic:
U 313 (Schweiger) in attack area AC 88 as
group "Fuchs" .
' Radio message 0400/10 from U 313 (Schweiger):
"Do not consider operation can be carried out
just now. Am withdrawing to the east."
Radio message 1005/755 to group "Fuchs":
"Continue unobserved patrol of outer Kola Bay,
especially of the northern approaches. Only
attack large convoys, carriers and other heavy
units. Do not report unless observed. From
15 October try again to_ carry out operation
"Fuchs".- Otherwise it is planned that ycu
should. operate against the next approaching
PQ, convoy."
(°) Special operations by single boats:
U 703 (Brunner) laying meteorological buoys
"Ernst" and "August"/
Radio message 1048/756 sent to U 703 (Brunner):
"If it is impossible at present to lay "Ernst",
set off immediately to lay "August". Report
position- from- AB~70."
Reports of successes: None .
U-boat reports:
Short report from U o65 (Wedemeyer), sixth
operation (third in Northern Waters): QP 30, see
Appendix 11/5*7"
Shorl report from U 757 (Brasack), eighth operation;
QP 50, see Appendix ,11/7.
Short report from U 968 (Westphalen) , fourth
operation; 0,P 50, see Appendix II/6.
Surface forces ;
Nothing to report.
-1,478-
CONFIDENTIAL
OlOO
1010
E.
Organizational:
Admiral Commanding U-boats w Loprinter
message Most Secret 5262:
"With effect from 1 October, U 295 (Wiobold) is
drafted from 11th U-boat Flotilla to 13th U-boat
Flotilla for administrative purposes... for Northern
Waters operations." ■
Teleprinter message Most Secret 5108 F II to
Naval High Command, Naval War Staff, Fourth
Division:
"1. Request transfer and administrative and
operational subordination of radio intercept
group (Communications Lt , Heinichen) to
Captain U-boats, Norway after completion of
current duties with 1st Battle Group. Their
experience in the northern area makes them
particularly suitable for supporting convoy
attacks in Northern Waters .
2. Questions of accommodation are arranged
directly from here with local stations.'1'
Survey of the situation:
Naval Chief Command, Norway, Operations Staff
wired:
"Attack on dockyard installations in Bergen on
4 October presumably to be regarded as the
beginning of systematic operations on U-boat
bases on the Norwegian coast. Therefore further
attacks may be expected in other places. Anti-
aircraft defenses are weak or non-existent. No
fighter defenses at present, as the use of our
few heavy fighters is pointless against the on
fighter cover. Thus, in almost peace-tii:
conditions, the enemy can seriously lnterfei
with our preparations for future U-boat warfare.
Moreover, there is the- problem of lack of shipping
space. The shipping and supply situation is of
critical operational importance with regard to
the movements in the area of Army High Command XX.
Attention is drawn to the considerable, continual
increasing enemy pressure on the ^wegian coast
as well as its lack of protection from tho
attacks. If it is not possible to allocate
greater fighter forces, serious consoquences may
be expected.'1
Re VI;
"The commanders' reports further confirm t
assumption that QP 30 escaped to tho south via
AB 95 and 97 after locating tho U-boats lying
ahead in the north and tho west. The boats did
-1,479-
CONFIDENTIAL
not consider this possibility as they searched.
Offensive air reconnaissance .or o.ven.only bearings
taken on the convoy traffic by U-boats would have
enabled many U-boats to attack .
(Signed) Suhren.
7 October, 1944.
A. Enemy situation:
I . Air reconnaissance;
Fliegor Fuehrer 5:
1 BV 138 on meteorological reconnaissance, route
Billef jord - Bear Island - Billef jord from 0513 to
1037, nothing to report, not exhaustive.
Plieger Fuehrer 4:
i ■ ■
1 Ju 188 on meteorological reconnaissance in the
area west of the Faeroes from. 0546 to. 1145.
Faeroes not examined because of v/eather.
Fliegcr Fuehrer 5:
1 BV 138 on meteorological reconnaissance, route
TromsB - AA 9337 - TromsB from 0538 to 1537. Route
completely examined, enemy not sighted.
II . Reports on the enemy:
(a) By U-boats: None.
(b) By air reconnaissance:
At 0815 in AE 9599 2 merchant ships, each 5,000
G.R.T. , course 320°.
(c) By naval forces : None.
(d) By radio intercept service:
Murmansk area: destroyers "Bn, "E" , 1 guardship.
Gorlo Strait/Archangel area: destroyer
"Deyatelni" .
Belushya/Kara Sea area: 2 minelayers, 2 mino-
sweepcrs, 1 guardboat, 1 ice-breaker.
( e ) By G . 1 . 3 . s t at i ons : None .
B. J-boats :
III. U-boat positions and alterations of position:
-1,480-
CONFIDENTIAL
(a) Positions at 0800:
U 313 in AC 80 as group "Fuchs" .
U 703 southwest of AE 23 on spocial operation.
In port:
- - - - i_ .. i
U 293, 315, 771 Hammcrf cs t ,
U 310, 312, 363, 365, 387, 425, 668, 737,
956, 965, 963, 992, 995, 997, 1163 Narv:
U 295 Trondhcim,
U 716 Kiel.
( b ) U-boats homjY.'L'.rd and outward bound :
0045 U 636 put in to H rfest from TromsB, at
0500 put out for AC 12 .
0900 U 365 put out of Narvik, at 1656 passed
Harstad, at 2207 made fast at Gorman Air
Force quay in Reisaf jord.
0900 U 307 put in to Narvik from TromsB.
U 278, 711, 739, 957 proceeding via inner
leads from Narvik to Trondhcim,
IV. Current U-boat operations:
(a) Convoy operations: None.
(b) Operational measures to intercept enemy
traffic :
U 313 -in AC 80.
(c ) Special operations by single boat;: :
U 703 (Brunner) laying meteorological buoys
"Ernst" and "August" ,
(d) Miscellaneous :
Transfer order for U 507 (Herrle):
"1. Put, out from Narvik at 1000 on 8 October
via Bogen to Trondheim.
2. Inner leads route to Bod6. Pick up
escort from 63rd Patrol Vessel Flotilla
at 1400 on 8 October in LBdingen. Chan
escort in BodB. U-boat- is expected by
Naval Harbor Master, BodB and 63rd Patrol
Vessel Flotilla at 2400 on 8 October.
3. Report oicking up escort in LBdingen on
"MC"
4. From LBdingen radio frequency "Anton II",
from Narvik Northern Waters very long
wave ."
-1,481-
CONFIDENTIAL
Transfer order for U 997 (Lehmann) ;
Ml. Put out from Narvik at noon on 8 October.
2. Proceed through Tjeldsund - Pinnsnesrennen
via TromsB to Hammerf est . With pilot from
Lbdingen to TromsB , then to Hammerf est
escorted by 2nd Inshore Defenses Unit.
Current escorts can be used. Boat is
expected by 2nd Inshore Defenses Unit.
3. Report to Lt . Harms, 2nd Inshore Defenses
Unit in TromsB to take on Commanding Officer
of Hammerf est U-boat base, Lt. Commander
Muller, if a request is made.
4. Report time of sailing from Narvik on
"MC" . Radio frequency "MC" as far as
Harstad, "Anton I" from Harstad, Northern
Waters very long wave from Narvik. Report
on "Anton I" when you enter and sail from
TromsB and pass Harstad.
5. 12 hours' readiness in Hammerf est."
V. Reports of successes; None.
VI. U-boat reports ;
Short report from U 515 (Zollor), sixth operation;
QP 30, see Appendix H/8.
Short report from U 563 (Noes), third operation;
ftP 50, see Appendix 1 1/12":
Short report from U 587TBuchlor) , eighth
operation; QP 30, see Appendix II/9.
Short report from U 656 (Schendol). tenth
operation; QP 50, see Appendix 11/10.
Short report from U 668 (von Eickstcdt) third
operation ("Grimm", "Schwef el" . "Zorn"); QP 50,
see Appendix II/llT"
Short report from U 965 (Unverzagt) , third
operation (^Edelweiss II". QP 50). see Appendix
11/15.
Short report from U 992 (Falke). third operation;
QP 50. see Appendix 11/14.
C . Surface forces ;
Nothing to report .
D. Organizational;
2550 Teleprinter message Naval War Staff, Second Division,
C-in-C U-boats Ops . informed us that the limits of
the commands of Captain U-boats, West and Captain
U-boats, Norway have been laid down north of the
line as f ollows ;
"from Grip lighthouse in the direction of Jan
Mayon to 66° 50' N."
-1,482-
CONFIDENTIAL
E. Survey of the situation:
Re IV (d):
The U-boats which are ready to operate are
being sent from Narvik again as soon as
possible to the northern bases, if they are
not required here for the installation of
intermediate wave D/P sets coming from the
south.
(Signed) Suhren.
8 October, 1944.
^r-i-rf-ii'i- ■ i
A. Enemy situation:
I. Air reconnaissance :
Flieger Fuehrer 4:
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance west
of the Faeroes from 0506 to 1318. Northern
and southern parts of the Faeroes examined,
no shipping identified. Thorshavr. not
examined.
Flieger Fuehrer 5:
1 BV 138 on meteorological reconnaissance, route
TromsB - AB 8535 - TromsB from 0525 to 1020.
Operation broken off at 0750 because of radio
breakdown. Route exhaustively examined, enemy
not sighted.
II . Reports on the. enemy:
(a) By U-boats : None .
(b) By air reconnaissance: None.
(c) By naval forces : None.
(d) By radio intercept service :
Gorlo Strait/Archangel area: destroyers *(
"Doyatolni" .
Iokanka area: 1 guardship, 1 mineswoopor.
Bclushya/Kara Sea area: 1 guardship.
Russian radio traffic: slight.
(e) By G.I.S. stations : Nor.' .
B. U-boats :
III. U-boat positions and alterations of p - :
-1,483-
CONFIDENTIAL
(a) Positions at uSOO:
Group "Fuchs":
U 513 AC 88 in the attack area:
U 703 southwest of AE 23 on special operation.
In port:
U 293, 315, 771 Hammerfest,
U 365 Reisaf jord,
U 307, 310, 312, 363, 387, 425, 668, 737, 956,
965, 968, 992, 995, 997, 1163 Narvik,
U 295 Trondheim,
U 716 Kiel.
(b) U-boats homeward and outward bound:
0900 U 365 put out from Reisaf jord, at 1430 put In
to TromsB.
1600 U 997 put out from Narvik, at 0025 passed
Harstad en passage to TromsB.
1030 U 307 put out from Narvik via- inner leads to
Trondheim.
1800 U 278, 711, 739, 957 put in to Trondheim after
inner leads passage from Narvik.
IV. Current U-bcat operations:
( a ) Sonvoy operations : None .
(b) Operational measures to intercept enemy
traffic:
1 boat in attack area AC 88.
( c ) Special operations by single boats :
IT 703 (Brunner) laying meteorological buoys
"Ernst" and "August" .
( d ) Miscellaneous :
Sailing order for U 387 (Btichler) , see Appendix
ILL-
V. Reports of successes: None.
VI . U-boat reports :
Short report from -U 510 (Ley), second operation:
^F 50, see Appendix 11/15.
C . Surface force?, :
Nothing to report,
D. Survey of the situation;- 'No comments .
(Signed) Suhren.
-1,484-
CONFIDENTIAL
9 October. 1944.
A. Enemy situation:
I • Air reconnaissance:
Flie^er Fuehrer 3;
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance, route
Banak - 74° 30' N, 30° E - Bear Island - Banak
from 0815 to 1220, nothing to report, exhaustive.
Flieger Fuehrer 5:
1 BV 138 on meteorological reconnaissance, rou'
TromsB - AA 9337 - Tromsb from -0618 to 1640.
Route exhaustively examined, no enemy encounters.
II. Reports on the enemy:
(a) By- U-boats ? None.
(b) By air reconnaissance; None.
(c) By naval forces : None.
(d) By radio intercept service:
Murmansk area: flotilla leader "Baku",
destroyers "Uritski", ME" and "S" .
Iokanka area: 1 ice-breaker.
Gorlo Strait/Archangel area: destroyer
"Deyatelni" and probably another destroyer,
1 guardship, 1 minesweeper.
(e) By G.I .S. stations : None.
B. U-boats :
III. U-boat positions and alterations of position*
(a) Positions at 0800:
Group "Fuchs":
U 313 AC 80 in the attack arc .
U 703 southwest of AE 23 on special operation.
ii
In port :
U 293, 315, 771 Hammorfost,
U 365 Trom3 0,
U 310, 312, 363, 425, 368, 737, 956, 965,
968, 992, 995, 1163 Narvik,
U 278, 295, 711, 739, 957 Trondhcim,
U 716 Kiel.
-1,485-
CONFIDENTIAL
0800
0700
(b) U-boats homeward and outward bound;
U 636 proceeding from Hammerfest to AC 12.
U 387 put out from' Narvik, at "2145 put in to
TromsB, at 2500 put out again. for Xg 69.
U 997 put in to TromsB from Narvik, at 2300
put out again for Hammerfest.
U 307 proceeding via inner leads from Narvik
to Trondheim,
IV.
1506
1816
1418
Current U-boat operations :
(a) Convoy operations : None.
(b) Operational measures to intercept enemy
traffics?" !
U 313 in AC 80.
( c ) Special operations 'by single boats :
U 703 (Brunner) laying meteorological buoys
"Ernst" and "August".
After setting up meteorological shore trans-
mitter "Erich", U 387 was to remove all the
important parts from the old "Schatzgraber"
camp. Details of minelaying at the camp have
still to be requested from Naval Chief Command,
Norv/ay.
Radio message 1555/646 sent to U 387 (Buchler) :
"Mines on "Schatzgraber" are from 80 to 315
meters from the hut. Concentration point 100
to 200 meters . ;Areas due west in sectors of
20° each to the north and south are clear of
mines. Electrical firing from switch-boxes in
the hut. Further details following."
'Radio message 1721/781 sent to U 387 (Buchler) :
"Firing unit is not in hut but bears 1110 from
it, distance 203 meters."
Radio message 1523/780. sent to U 636 (Schendel):
"1. Speed up operation so that U-boat can
roach the formation in AB 2150 on 12
October.
2. If this is not possible, report earliest
timo of arrival there on radio frequency
"Anton".
5. Position short signal after passing west
of 20° E."
After communicating with Naval Chief Command,
Norway it was decided that AB 2150 would be the
-1,486-
CONFIDENTIAL
rendezvous I sen "Exorsteinc" and tho
U-boat for return escort. Naval Chiof
Command, Norway obtained permission fro.
Naval War Staff, Second Division for U 636
(Schendcl) to provide cscor: . Naval
Staff, Second Division's approval later
received by teleprinter. Scq. under D.
U 636 (Schendcl) then reported earliest dato
of arrival as 13 October.
V . Reports of successes : Nono .
VI. U-boat reports :
Short report from U 278 (Franzc), fifth o: t
("Grclf", "Grimm"), see Appendix I iTHn
Short report from U 759 (f.langoldj, fifth o: _ : '.ion,
("Grcif"), see Appendix ll/TT.
C . Surface forces:
Nothing to report .
D. Plans :
1435 Teleprinter message Naval Chief Command, Norway
Most Secret 01336 received:
"Request U-boat detailed to escort returni.
"Exerstoine" and "Edelweiss II" to be in AD 2150
from 12 October. "Edelweiss II" is to be infor: I
by you via. Naval Communications Officer, TromsB.
E. Survey of the situation:
Re II (d) :
The destroyers again seem to have escorted empty
ships from Archangel to Murmansk.
Re VI:
The operation by group "Gre'If" in Kara Sea, apart
from tho successes repbrtod, gavo the U-boats
innumerable opportunities for attacking medium
freighters and especially oscort vessels, but
unusually frequent torpedo failures prevented
further sinkings deserved. They may have been
due to vibrations in tho U-boats caused by the
ice, or to low water temperatures, or possibly
In curve shots, to echo effect produced by heavy
water layering in shallow sea areas and in tho
ice and finally, in the vicinity of Russka
island to magnetic disturbances thoro .
(Signod) Suhren.
-1,487-
CONFIDENTIAL
10 October, 1944.
*
A. Enemy situation:
I. Air reconnaissance;
Flioger Fuehrer 5;-
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance, route
Banak - Bear Island - Kaamancn from 1006 to 1420,
nothing to report.
II . Reports on the enemy:
(a) By U- boats.:- None.
( b-) By air reconnais s arice : None .
(c) By naval forces : None.
(d) By radio intercept service:
18th Group: very lively flying activity (56
aircraft), reconnaissance of the central and
southern areas of the North Sea as well as the
Norwegian coast.
Pummanki area: 9 probable M.T.B.s.
Iokanka area: destroyers "Uritski", nBn, 1
guardship and 1 minesweeper.
Gorlo Strait/Archangel: 1 guardship, 1 mine-
layer and 3 minesweepers.
Belushya/Kara Sea area: 1 minesweeper., 1 ice-
breaker.
(©) By G.I.S. stations: None.
B. U-boats :
III. U-boat positions and alterations of position:
(a) Positions at 0800:
Group "Fucha" :
U 313 AC 88.
U 703 southwest of AE 23 on special operation.
U 636 AC 13 on special operation.
In port :
U 293, 315, 771 Hammerfest,
U 365 TromsB,
U 310, 312, 363, 425, 668, 737, 956, 965,
968, 992, 995, 1163 Narvik,
U 278, 295, 711, 739, 957 Trondheim,
U 716 Kiel.
-1,488-
CONFIDENTIAL
(b) U-boat a homeward and outward bound:
U 387 proceeding from Narvik to If 69
1145 U 997 put in to Hammerfest from Narvi: .
2200 U 307 put in to Trondheim from Narvik after
inner leads passage.
IV. Current U-boat operations:
(a) Convoy operations: None.
(b) Operational measures to intercept enom^
traffic:
U 313 in attack area AC 88.
(c ) Special operations by single boats:
U 636 (Schcndel) transporting meteorological
unit "Helhus" to Hope Island.
U 703 (Brtinner) laying meteorological buoys
"Ernst" and "August" .
1145 Radio message 1109/793 sent to "Buchler" who
is proceeding to Alexandra Land with
meteorological shore transmitter "Erich" :
"To "3^chlernfrom Captain U-boats:
Mines at "Schatzgraber" camp' to" be exploded
only electrically with firing unit."
V. Reports of successes: None.
VI. U-boat reports :
Short report from U 307 (Herrlc). ninth . . j»n
("Kaudegen" ) , see Appendix 11/19.
Short report from U 711 (Lange), ninth operation,
("Greif"), see Appendix 11/20.
C« Surface forces :
Nothing to report.
D. Plans:
1820 Teleprinter message Most Secret 5199 F I sent
to Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C
U-boats Ops . :
"Reference 1. Captain U-boats, Norway 4773 A Oj
of 18 September (not to Luftf lotto 5).
2. Naval War Staff, Second Division,
C-in-C U-bcats Ops. Most Seer
7122 C of 20 September.
1) On meteorological assignments at pr .t at
sea: U 703 (Brunner) with meteorological buoys
-1,489-
CONFIDE riTIAL
in AE 30; U 636 (Schondcl) v/ith meteorological
unit off Hope Island as in reference 1. and
radio message 0142 of 7 October, then proceeding
to A3 2150 to act as return escort for
"Edelweiss II" on 13 October; U 387 (Buchler)
sailing on 10 October to Alexandra Land with
meteorological shore "trans: r "Erich".
2) u 365 (7/edemeyer) is lying ready in Tromso to
evacuate the German Air Force Station from
South Spitsbergen. Release requested contrary
to Para. 4 of Ref. 2., as v/e already fear that
South Spitsbergen will ice up and the operation
should be completed before the next PQ, convoy.
The relevant authorities have, boon informed/'
E. Survey of the situation:
Re D:
Apart from the 2 German Air Force meteorological
units to be transported by U 636 and U 365, the
only other operation for November is the landing
of a unit on Bear Island. This v/ill take longest
because of the ice conditions and will conclude
the numerous meteorological operations for this
year, apart from the return escort to be provided
for weather ship "Excrsteine" .
(Signed) Suhron.
11 October, 1944
A . Enemy situation:
I. Air reconnaissance:
Flicger Fuehrer 5 s
i ii ■ » ii ■■ ■ ■ i
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance, route
Kaamanen - Bear Island - Banak from 0803 to 1132.
Operation carried out on route as ordered, not
exhaustive, nothing to report.
Flicker Fuehrer 4:
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance west of the
Faeroes from 1230 to 1758, nothing to report.
Fliegor Fuehrer 5:
1 BV 138 on meteorological reconnaissance, route
TromsB - A3 7437 - AF 2834 - Trondheim from 0605
to 1554. Route 50^ examined, enemy not sighted.
-1,490-
CONFIDENTIAL
II . Reports on the energy:
(a) By U-boats : None.
(b) By air reconnaissance: None.
(c) By naval forces: None.
(d) By radio intercept service:
Pummanki area: 20 M.T.B.s.
Murmansk area: destroyers "Grenyashchi" ,
HB" and 1 minesweeper.
Gorlo Strait/Archangel area: dostroyers
nG" , "S" , 1 submarine, 2 minelayers,
1 guardship.
Belushya/Kara Sea: 1 ice-breaker.
(e) By G.I.S. stations: None.
B, U-boats :
III* U-boat positions and alterations of position:
(a) Positions at 0800:
Group ;>FuchsM i l-
U 313 AC 88.
U 703 southwest of AE 23 on special operation.
U "S3 6 AC 13 on special- operation.
In port-; ; ■
U 293, 315, 771, 997 Hammerfust,
U 365 Tromso,
U 310, 312, 363, 425, 668, 737, 956, 965,
968, 992, 995, 1163 Narvik,
U 278, 293, 307, 711, 739, 957 Trondhci:.,
U 716 Kiel.
(b) U-boats homeward and outward bound:
U 387 proceeding from Narvik to HP 69.
IV. Current U-boat operations :
(a) Convoy operations: None.
(b) Operational ;.. ires to intcrc.pt
traffic:
U '313 in attack area AC 88.
(c) Special operations by c ^ beats:
U 636 (Schcndel) transporting motcorological
unit "Helhus" to Hope Island.
-1,491-
::~l
U 703 (Brunner) laying meteoroi al buoys
.so;' and August1' .
U 587 (Buchler) proceeding fee Alexandra Land
Lth roeoeorological shore transmitter "Erich".
(d) Miscellaneous :
45 Teleprinter message Most Secret 5227 F III
sent to Naval Air base, "romsB for emeyer":
"Sailing order for U 365 (Wedemeyer) .
1. Put out from TromsB after taking on "Landvi
2. Report time of sailing on "Anton I'.
3. U-boat hcrthern idio frequency from
TromsB.
4. Announce escort promptly to 2nd Inshore
fens e a Unit, Proceed via point "H*.
5. After disr okatien, remain at landing
place until blon is ready t: ~.d and
receive, t] Burn. Report o:mpletion
on "Anton I" v.v / 75° N.n
V . Reports of successes : -Tone .
VI. U-boat reports:
r/.ort report fr:~ V =-c~ 3:ho:r,. £:::::. ::e::.:i:n:
("C-reif"), see A-oendix II/2~
Short reoort from U 2 9c ["JLLr.zsz or tirzz operation;
^P 50, see Appendix 11/15.
C. Surface forces :
Nothing to report.
D. Survey of the situation:
0028 Teleprinter message Most ret 01047/TF received
from Naval High Command, Naval War Staff, Second
Division:
"1. At present 3 U-boats are employ: meteoro-
logical open is.
2. In Na*. tar So off, Second Division, G-in-C
V-boats Ops. Most Secret 7122 C of 20
September, it was definitely laid down that
not mc d 1 7- boat was to t us
employed at the same time. Moreover,
operations 1 ance with 3 (a) and 3 (b)
of o reference ■ oo be out
by only 1 U-boat
- ,492-
CONFIDENTIAL
3. Report immediately why action was taken
contrary to this order."
0245 Teleprinter message Most Secret 5206 F I sent
to Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C
U-boats Ops '. :
"In reply to your teleprinter message Most Sec:
01047 F II, reference Most Secret 7122 C of
20 September:
1. Meteorological operation by U 636 completed
on 12 October according to plan, operation
additional to "Edelweiss II" in accord
ith reference.
2. Sailing of U 387 speeded up by 2 days as the
uncertain ice situation may prejudice the
Alexandra Land operation; U-boat will be
ready for next convoy operation.
3. U 703 not affected by reference. Restriction
to 1 U-boat referred expressly to new
operations, not those already in progress.
Boat has not reported since sailing on 16
September, has had orders since 6 October to
return and report position.
4. The restriction on meteorological operations
is understood hero to mean that the greatest
possible number of U-boats must be available
for convoy actions. The speeding-up of
meteorological operations has been effected
because of the ice situation and will enable
all U-boats to be ready for tho next ?r. conv
(Signed) Suhrcn.
12 October, 1944.
A . Enemy situation:
I, Air reconnaissance ;
Flicgcr Fuehrer 5:
1 Ju 88 on shipping reconnaissance, rou-
Kaamancn - AC 7373 - 72° N, 27° E - 70° N, 35° E -
Kola inlet - Kaamancn from 0551 to 1050.
1 Ju 88 on meteorological and shipping roconna
sance, route Banak - 74° 30' N, 18° E - 75° 3 ' ,
30° E - Banak from 0700 to 1134, exhaustive, no
enemy ships sightod.
Flicker Fuehrer 5:
1 BV 138 on mctoorological reconnaissance, roir
-1,493-
it
CONFIDENTIAL
Trondheim - AP 2977 - AA 9361 - AP 2972 - Trondheim,
from 0554 to 1648. Route exhaustively examined,
enemy not sighted.
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance, route
Vaernes - AE 8344 - AE 9895 - Vaernes from 0602
to 1420. Route 50% examined, enemy not sighted.
II • Reports on the enemy;
(a) By U-boats ; None.
(b) By air reconnaissance:
0943 7 M.T.B.s in 3 lines ahead in AC 8827, course
northwest, high speed.
(c) By naval forces; None.
(d) By radio intercept service;
Pummanki/Var anger f jord area: 22 patrolling
M.T.B.s .
Iokanka area: destroyers "E", "J".
Gorlo Strait/Archangel area: destroyer "P", 2
minesweepers .
Belushya/Kara Sea: 1 ice-breaker.
Moderate radio traffic.
0800 Britain: Cleethorpes transmitted 9 radio
messages for North Soa/Northcrn Waters area.
There is a suspicion that these radio messages
were intended for "Group" (N) at sea. Brief,
feint radio transmission on escort wave at
0114 only.
18th Group: lively flying activity by day (23
aircraft), none at night.
(e) By G.I.S. stations: None.
3. U-boats :
III. U-boat positions and alterations of position:
(a) Positions at 0800:
Group "Fuchs," :
U 313 AC 88.
U 703 southwest of AE 23 on special operation*
U 636 AC 13 on special operation.
In port:
U 293, 315, 771, 997 Hammerfest,
U 365 TromsB,
U 310, 312, 363, 425, 668, 737, 956, 965,
968, 992, 995, 1163 Narvik,
U 278, 295, 507, 711, 739, 957 Trondheim,
U 716 Kiel.
-1,494-
CONFIDENTIAL
(b) U-boats homeward and outward bound:
2300 U 365 put out from Tromso for AB 31.
U 387 proceeding from Narvik to AC 69.
2200 U 315 put out from Hammerfest for VardB
via AG 49.
2000 U 737 put out from Narvik for Harstad.
IV. Current U-boat operations:
(a) Convoy operations: None.
(b) Operational measures to intercept enemy
traffic:
U 313 in attack area AC 88.
1455 Radio message 1416/758 sent:
11 "Schwei^or" from Captain U-boats.
Report position .immediately from AC 50 as
ordered in radio message 1017 of 9 October. ''
( c ) Special operations by single boats :
U 703 (Brunner) laying meteorological buoys
"Ernst" and "August" .
U 387 (Buchler) transporting meteorological
shore transmitter "Erich" to Alexandra Land.
U 636 (Schendel) transporting meteorological
unit "EelhUs" to Hope Island =
0510 Teleprinter message received from Naval Radio
Station, Tronic i3, radio message 2020/126 from
"Edelweiss II". to Naval Chief Command, Norway:
"Caught in shoal ice in 76° 31' N, 17° 15 « W.
Am drifting south. Expect change in weather,
assignment carried out."
As "Exersteinc" reported that she was caught
in the ice, radio message 1057/736 was sent:
1129 " "Schendel" from Captain U-boats:
Do not approach AB 2150. Report completion
of mission from. AC 19. Thon occupy attcu
area AB 37."
1330 Teleprinter message Most Secret 01476 F I
Ops. received from Naval Chi of Command,
Norway:
"jcw disposition for U-boat "Schendel":
AB 1450 to pick up meteorological ship
" Exorsto5.no11 as soon as she is froo from ic^ ."
-1,405-
CONFIDENT! IAL
1520 Then teleprinter message Most Secret 5237 F I
to Naval Chief mand. ,.y:
"In reply to your Most Secret 01465 F I Ops.
of 12 October:
D 636 (Sc el) is first occupyin .-.3 37 to
reconnoiter for possible traffic, as the ti:
of freeing o: seorel zal ship "Exersteine"
cannot be foreseen and in accordance with
l^aval War Staff, Secor.: division's c s,
not more than 1 U-boat is permitted to carry
out meteorol al operations at the sar.
time. The boat will be at the rendezvous
after the appropriate message. Request
"I _ss II11 be informed.'1"
: no signal had been received from "Brunner"
in answer to the request of 6 October,
1112 radio message L:-/755 was sent:
n "Brunner" revert resit ion 1mm on
"Anton I".""
(d) Miscellaneous :
1434 Radio mc 5 s : :j -:- 1 4 !> 5/5 ' sent:
11 "Brasack" i v at once to TromsB. Thore
rait further criers. "MC" as far arsta
then "Anton I"; switch to very long wave
immediate!.; 5 hours' readiness in Troms
Report -tly on "MC" time of arrival in
Lodingen to take on pilot."
Reference th 1 U-boat operation to
remove the Northern rs repeating trans-
mitter at VardB from the d us coastal
area,
1444 :• i di o me .:. ._ . ;. e 1 5 57/l was sent:
"Naval Radio Station, VardB.
Report immediately whether a U-boat with 5
meters c t can put alongside the VardB
pier. Plan: removal of 3' heavy and 1 200-Watt
transmitter at night. Otherwise test
possibility of loading sets aboard the U-boat
via a cutter.*'
1540 Teleprinter mess Most Secret 5238 E III sent
to U-boat baz : Hammorf est :
"Sailing order for U 315 (Zoller):
1. Put out fro:.. t via "SR 1" on the
evening of 12 October.
2. Proceed to VardB at a distance of 50 miles
-1,496-
UUNKIDENTIAL
from the coa3t via point "VAR" to tako on
important sets from Northern Waters Radio
Repeater Station.
On the evening of 13 October pass ,fVAl
in darkness and put in to port. If thj
is not possible, make your presence known
to the port by short flashes, expect
cutter.
3. Return to TromsB via point "H".
4. Observe Standing Orders Nos . 421 and 427.
5. Report time of sailing from Hammorfest
promptly on "Anton I '.
2325 Radio message 1915/2 received from Island
Commandant, Vardb :
"In reply to radio message 1337/1: pier 156
meters, dopth of water 6 meters at low tide."
The radio message was transmittod to U 315
(Zoller) which was already bound for VardB.
V. Reports of successes; Nono .
C . Surface forces :
1st Battle Group announced in teleprinter
message Most Secret 2668 that the "Tirpitz"
would be transferred at 0600 on 15 October.
D. Plans :
Teleprinter message Most Secret S.O.s only 179
P I sent to Naval War Staff, Second Divisie.
C-in-C U-boats Ops, for information Naval Chi^i'
Command, Norway, Operations Staff:
"1. Captain U-boats, Norway has promised 6
U-boats as remote escort for the transfer
of the "Tirpitz" on 15 October.
2. It is intendod to dispatch U 315 (Zoller)
immediately to evacuate the important
transmitter from Northern Waters Radio
Repeater Station, VardB.
Request approval of 1. and 2."
E. Survey of the situation:
Re D:
The U-boats providod as oscorts for l3t Battle
Group can then remain at sea to form a new grc
for tho next PQ convoy which is expoctod on about
the 20th of this month.
(Signod) Suhrcn.
- - — - — ■ ■ ■■ »■ ■ ■ . . . . . — . . . — ■
-1,497-
CONFIDENTIAL
13 October, 1944.
A . Enemy situation:
I. Air reconnaissance:
.ieser Fuehrer I
i ' t i i i ■ i i -
1 Ju 86 en meteorological and shipping reconnais-
route Banak - 74° 30^ N, 30° E.- 74° 40' M, 18° E -
Banak from 0700 to 1126, nothing to report, almost
exhaustive, enemy not sighted.
1 3V 138 on shipping reconnaissance, route
Billefjord - 745 N, 22° E - 74° N, 31° E - Kirkenes
from 0911 to 1125. Operation abandoned in AC 4897
because of lack of cloud cover," nothing to report.
1 Ju 88 on diverging search patrol in the sea area
70° N, 33° E - 69° N, 42° E - 70° 30' N, 42° E -
70° 30 1 If, 42° E - 71° N, 34° E from 1000 to 1550.
Total area examined with radar, no location.
1 Ju 88 on diverging search patrol, route Kaamanen -
Vardo - AC 8541 - 6716 - 2647 - 8171 - Berlevaag -
Kaamanen from 1200 to 1515, exhaustively examined
by visual reconnaissar.c
Flieger Fuehrer 4:
1 Ju 88 on meteorological reconnaissance west of
the Faeroes from 0616 to 1247. Faeroes examined,
enemy not sighted.
Flieger Fuehrer 5:
1 BV 138 on meteorolc 1 reconnaissance, route
Troms'6 - AA 9364 - Ircndheim from 0527 to 1721.
Route 95$ examined, enemy not sighted.
II. Reports on the enen:~:
(a) By U-boats ; None.
(b) By air reconnaissance: None.
( c ) 3;; naval forces : None .
(d) By radio intercept service:
Pummanki/Varangorf jord arec : B M.T.B.s and
probahly 2 others .
Gorlo Strait/Archangel area: 2 minesweepers .
Belushya/Kara Sea area: 2 minesweepers .
Russian radio traffic: slight.
(e) By G-.I.S. stations: None.
-1,498-
CONFIDENTIAL
B. U-boats ;
III. U-boat positions and alterations of position:
(a) Positions at 0800:
Group "Fuchs" :
U 313 AC 88,
U 703 southwest of AE 23 on special operation,
U 656 AC 13 on special operation.
In port;
U 293, 771, 997 Hammerfest,
U 310, 312, 563, 425, 668, 956, 968, 992,
995, 1163 Narvik,
U 278, 295, 307, 711, 739, 957 Trondheim,
U 716 Kiel. .
(b) U-boats homeward and outward bound:
U 587 proceeding from Hammerfest to Hf 69,
2100 U 315 put in to Vardo from Hammerfest, at
2300 put out for Hammerfest.
0320 U 365 passed point "H" on passage from
Trams 6 -to AB 31.
0005 U 737 passed Lodingen, at 0530 passed
Harstad, at j1200 put in to Narvik again.
IV. Current U-boat operations ;
(a) Convoy operations : None.
(b) Operational measures to intercept enemy
traffic:
U 313 in attack area AC 88.
0325 Radio message 2100/82 received from gro\
"Fuchs" :
!!To Captain U-boats.
1. Grid squares 8821, 22, 24, 25, 27 (?),
28 (?), 50, 60, 8940 free of minos .
2. Ant i- submarine forces (M.T.B.s) with
torpodoboat, armed steam traw , largo
cutter lying stopped in tho outor bay up
to 15 mlloa off the coast. Aircraft by
day.
3. No surface locations.
4. Suspect surfaco listening station on tho
coast.
-1,499-
CONFIDENTIAL
5. On the night of 30 September traffic off
Teriberski, course southeast, all lights
on.
'6. Lights out since 5 October.
7. Inexact navigation because of lack of
landmarks, bad visibility conditions
landwards *
8. Schnorchel possibilities slight to date.1'
1916 Radio message 1807/762 sent:
"To group "Fuchs" from Captain U-boats.
1. Report received.
2. Continue to patrol Kola Bay and approaches
unobserved.
3. No further attempt is to be made against
the battleship until the results of new air
reconnaissance are transmitted; then
surface immediately using the new moon to
get round Salny boom."
(c ) Special operations by single boats:
U 387 (Buchler) transporting meteorological
shore transmitter "Erich" to Alexandra Land.
U 656 (Schendol) transporting meteorological
unit "Helhus"" to Hope Island,
U 703 (Brunner) laying meteorological buoy
"Ernst" on the East Shelf off Iceland.
U 315 (Zoller) on transport passage to evacuate
radio gear from VardB.
2126 Radio message 2057/767 sent:
"To "Zoller" from Captain U-boats.
Put in to Hammcrfost, not TromsB. Unload
sets on to "Black Watch". Then at immediate
readiness in' Harnmorfest."
It was intended that the U-boat would thus
be ready again more quicklj for operations
against convoys.
(d) Miscellaneous :
Since there was no information regarding
"Brunner" and ho had not yet responded to the
request to report his position immediately,
radio message 2019/766 was sent:
2117 " "Brunner": put in to Andfjord - Narvik at
1500 on 16 October if transmitter is
unserviceable. M
-1,500-
CONFIDENTIAL
The following orders were sent in Most Seer*
5271 P I:
Sailing order for D 310 (Ley),
Sailing order for U 968 (Westphalen) ,
: Sailing order U 995 (Hess),
Sailing order U 737 (Brasack),
see Appendix l/2 .
V. Reports of successes: None.
G . Surface forces :
Nothing to report.
D. Plans :
Teleprinter message Most Secret S.O.s only 1288
received from Naval Chief Command, Norway:
''Operation of 12 i'BibersM (midget submarines)
intended against battleship of "R" class which
has been repeatedly confirmed in Vaenga Bay.
(Covername: operation "C&sar" )• Fbr the
operation, Small Battle Units Command requires
the transfer of 3 U-boats to the most northerly
repair ship (Hammerfest ) . It is requested that
3 U-boats be ready to- operate, each in conjunction
with 4 ''Bibors" . Operation planned for approx-
imately the end of October. Request decision at
once . "
E. Survey of the situation:
1138 Teleprinter message Most Secret 5670 received
from Naval High Command, Naval War Staff, Third
Division (Koralle):
"Enemy situation telegram. Naval distribution.
Subject: convoy traffic bctweon Britain and
Russia (PQ and QP traffic).
In the supply traffic between Britain and
Russia which has begun to run again after a 4
months' break since mid-August 1944, two pairs
of convoys have run with an interval of 4 w^
PQ, convoys put out from Britain about tho mi del
of the month, QP convoys leave Murmansk tow. i
the end of the month, 2 days after the arrival
of the PQ, convoy. If the departure of traffic
continues in this soquenco, we may oxpect a
convoy (34) to sail from Britain in mid-Octob.
and QP 31 from Murmansk at the ond of October.1'
(Signed) Suhrcn.
-1,501-
CONFIDENTIAL
14 October, 1944.
A. Enemy situation;
I. Air reconnaissance ;
Fliogor Fuehrer 5;
1 Ju 88 on meteorological and shipping reconnais-
sance, route Banak - Boar Island - 74° 30' N, 30° E
- Banak from 0700 to 1130, nothing to report, not
exhaustive bocausc of weather.
1 BV 138 on shipping reconnaissance with radar,
route Billefjord - AC .415.6 .-. AC 5154 - Kirkencs
from 0908 to 1210. Cut short because minimum
weather requirements were not fulfilled.
(Billefjord - AC 4355 - AC 5488 - Kirkencs).
Area 30 - 50 km. on both sides of the route was
exhaustively examined with radar, no locations.
1 Ju 88 on diverging search patrol in the sea area
AC 8584 - AW 2333 - AC 9519 - AC 8286 from 0610 to
1115. Area exhaustively examined v/ith radar, no
locations .
1 Ju 88 on diverging search patrol in the sea area
AC 8463 - AC 6716 - AC 5299 - AC 7396 from 1053 to
1500. Area exhaustively examinod with radar, no
locations .
II. Reports on the enemy;
(a) By U-boats ; None.
(b) By air reconnaissance; None.
(c) By naval forces ; None.
(d) By radio intercept service;
1, North Sea/Northern Waters area: radio
messages, some of operational and very
urgent priority.
Radio traffic seemed to indicate forces at
sea. 42 aircraft picked up..
18th Group; lively flying activity (45
aircraft) including 11 from Iceland.
In reply to a query sent to Radio Intercept
Officer with 1st Battle G-roup as to whether
there was any information that a PQ, convoy
was at sea,
Most Secret 2680 v/as received from 1st
Battle Group;
•
"Not definite whether PQ, convoy is at sea;
according to our observations It seems
unlikely up to now. From recent observations,
it is probable that various isolated warship
groups are at sea.
To amplify yesterday's Naval High Command
evaluation, Radio Intelligence Section is
-1,502-
CONFIDENTIAL
B.
III.
0900
0800
1500
requested to
features of
home area to
vice versa,
observations
lengths . Ob
immediately.
experiences ,
silence unti
enemy. i?
issue immediately 3pccial
radio traffic from British
Archangel and Murmansk and
To date, no speci
on escort and carrier wave-
servations are transmitted
According to earlier
convoys maintain radio
1 first contact with the
2. Purnmanki/Varangerf jord area: 10 K.T.B.- .
Iokanka area: destroyer "P", 1 guardsh
and 3 minesweepers.
Gorlo Strait/Archangel area: destroyer
»K".
Belushya/Kara Sea area: 1 minelayer and
3 minesweepers .
Russian radio traffic: moderate.
(e) By G.I. 3. stations: None.
U-boats :
U-boat positions and alterations of position;
(a) Positions at 0800:
Group "Fuchs" :
U 313 AC 88.
U 636 AC 13 on special operation.
U 703 southv/est of AE 23 on special operation,
In port:
U 293, 711, 997 Hammerfest,
U 310, 312, 363, 425, 668, 956, 965, 96f ,
992, 995, 1163 Narvik,
U 278, 295, 307, 711, 739, 957 Trondhei
U 716 Kiel.
( b ) U-boats homeward and outward bouiv., :
U 387 proceeding from Hammo
U 365 proceeding from Troms
Put out from Hammerfest: U
U
U
U 757 put out from Narvik,
Harstad on passage to AC
Put out from Narvik: U 310
U 968
U 995
U 315 procooding from Vard6
rfost to AF 6 .
6 to AB 31.
293 for
771 for
997 for
at 1346
7175.
for AP- 966r .
for AB 9656.
for :.C 7177.
to Hamv st.
AC 7186.
AC 71. .
AC 7181.
s sod
-1,503-
CONFIDENTIAL
IV. Current U-boat operations;
(a) Convoy operations: Hone .
(b) Operational measures to intercept enemy
traffic:
U 313 in attack area AC 88 .
1640 Radio message 1516/777 sent:
"On 14 October the following will put out from
Hammerfest: U 771 (Block), U 293 (Klingspor),
U 997 (Lehmann) . Prom Narvik: U 737 (Brasack),
U 995 (Hess), U 968 (Westphalen) , U 3l0 (Ley).
They will form group "Regens chirm" from AC
7195 to AB 9638."
The group was to form a defensive screen for
operation "Comet'1 off Loppa.
2221 Radio message 2058/785 sent: .
"Group "Regenschirm" from Captain U-boats.
1. During hours of daylight on . 15 October,
expect BV 138 on reconnais-sance ,
2. Tasks to report and -att-aek any enemy naval
forces or aircraft approaching the coast.
Expect aircraft carriers at all times.
Report . before attacking.
3. With immediate effect, cover radio frequency
"Anton I", Northern Waters .very long wave,
transmitting undor tho 600 Series Nos."
(c) Special operations by single boats:
U 387 (Buchler) transporting meteorological
shore transmitter "Erich" 'to Alexandra Land.
U 703 (Brunner) laying meteorological buoy
"Ernst" on East Shelf off Iceland.
U 636 (Schondel) transporting meteorological
unit "Helhus" to Hope Island.
2040 Short signal 2026/782 received from U 636
(Schondel) :
"My position is AC 1911."
This meant that the meteorological station
"Helhus" had been sot up according to plan.
U 315 (Zoller) on transport passage to
evacuate radio gear from VardB.
-1,504-
CONFIDENTIAL
(d) Miscellaneous .
OOOl Teleprinter message Most Secret 5259 F III
sent to U-boat base Hammerfest:
"Sailing order for U 293 (Klingsoor) , T: 771
(Block), U 997 (Lehmann):
1. Put out from Hammerfest on the morning of
14 October, "Lehmann1' to AC 7181 right
lower corner, "Kiingspor'1 to AC 7186
upper center edge, ".Bloc1.:" to AC 7195
lower center edge.
2. Boats will join group "Regenschirm".
3. Positions must be occupied by 0600 c.
15 October at the latest.
4. U-boat northern Waters radio frequenc
report time of sailing on "Anton I" .
5. Operational Order No. 15 in fore . its
will remain submerged in their positions,
surfacing only to charge batteries and
take fixes."
2240 Teleprinter message Most Secret 4291 F III
sent to U-boat base Hammerfest:
"Sailing order for U 315 (Zoller):
1. After unloading and refuelling, put out
again for A3 56.
2. Operational Order No. 15 for Northern
'.Vaters U-boats and Northern Waters Order
No, 8 in force .
3. U-boat Northern Waters radio frequenc .
4. U 636 (Schendel) in AB 37, U 365 ('.Vcdemoy
and U 387 (Buchler) in the north, gr^up
"Regenschirm" ... from 14 October as in radio
message 2058/783.
5. On 15 October, expect 3V 138 on air
reconnaissance in Bear Island passa- .
6. Report time of sailing promptly on
"Anton I"."
V. Reports of succoa.
U 636 (Schendel) reported sotting up mcteorologi,
station "Holhus" on Hope Island.
C. Surface forces: Nothing to report.
-1,505-
CONFIDENTIAL
D. Survey of the situation:
0100 Teleprinter message Most Secret P I sent to Naval
War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C U-boats Ops:
'' U-boat situation in Northern Waters on 13 October:
1. 3 boats on meteorological operations; of those
1 boat is at immediate readiness for convoy
attacks, two will be ready by approximately 18
October.
2. 2 boats on special operations, U 313 and U 315
at immediate readiness for convoy attacks.
3. 4 boats put out from Narvik on 14 October; 3
boats sailed from Hammerfest to join group
"Regens chirm" in accordance with Naval War Staff,
Second Division, C-in-C U-boats Ops. S.O.s only.
The group will form a patrol line against the
PQ, convoy.
4. 4 further boats will put out from Narvik on 15
October after being fitted with additional D/F
equipment. Thus a total of 16 U-boats will be
ready for the next PQ convoy.
5. In the light of experience, the convoy should
be expected about 20 October, no cluos yet."
(Signed) Suhron.
15 October, 1944.
A. Enemy situation;
I. Air reconnaissances
Flieger Fuehrer 5;
1 3V 138 on reconnaissance from Billef iord to AC
4859 from 1028 to 1245. . Operation abandoned
because of lack of cloud cover, Aroc exhaustively
examined with radar, no locations.
1 Ju 88 on meteorological and shipping reconnais-
sance, route Banak - 75° N, 17° E - 74° 30 » N,
33° E - Banak, not exhaustive, enemy not sighted.
1 Ju 88 on diverging search patrol, route
Kaamanen - AC -8192 - 5698 - 5651 - Bcrlevaag - VardB
- Kaamanon from 0533 to 1040, Exhaustively examined
by radar, no locations.
-1,506-
CONFIDENTIAL
Flicker Fuehrer 5:
1 BV 138 on reconnaissance, route Trondheir. lake
- AF 5629 - Trondheim from 0549 to 0915.
4 3V 138 on reconnaissance for operation "Comet"
from 0540 to 1404. Reconnaissance area exhaust-
ively examined, nothing to report.
II. Reports on the enemy:
(a) By U-boats :
Aircraft report from U 995 (He3s),
aircraft report from U 315 (Zoller) .
(b) By air reconnaissance:
0650 In AF 5378 a carrier group consisting of 4
large ships in line ahead intercepted by
visual .reconnaissance, course north (inexact)
Second ship identified as aircraft carrier.
Screen of escort vessels round this formation,
Range when sighted 30 - 35 km.
(c) By naval forces: None.
■ »■ » . i.
(cO By radio intercept service:
1. 18th Group: moderate flying activity (26
aircraft) with greatest concentration in
afternoon and evening, focal point
northern North Sea. Cloethorpes trans-
mitted 10 radio messages for North Sea/
Northern Waters area. Low priority until
then. Our assumption that somo naval
forces were at sea was thus strengthened.
2. Pummanki area: 1 guardship and 8 M.T.B.s.
Murmansk area: destroyer "Deyatclni" and
1 minesweeper.
Gorlo Strait/Archangel area: destroyers
"G", "P", "S", 1 guardship and 1 mine-
sweeper .
Slight radio traffic.
(e) By G.I.S. stations: None.
B. U-boats :
III. U-boat positions and alterations of posltiei
(a) Positions at 0800:
Group "Re p;ons chirm":
U 31C AB 9662
U 968 AB 96C6
U 995 AC 7177
U 737 AC 7175
U 997 AC 7181
U 293 AC 7186
U 771 AC 7195
-1,507-
in patrol lino.
?IAL
1930
2100
2300
0700
IV.
0310
0835
0926
C-rour ''Fuohs1';
U 313 AC 88.
U 365 A3 31 on special operation.
U 387 S.P 69 on special operation.
U 536 AC 1751 on passage for special operation.
U 703 southwest of AE 23 on special operation.
In TDort :
U 315 Hamr._erfest ,
U 312, 353, 425, 568, 956, 992, 1163 Narvi.
U 278, 295, 307, 711, 759, 957 Trondheim,
U 7] lei.
(b) U-boats homeward and outward bound;
U 663 put out from Narvik, at 2300 passed
Lod: n on passage for Harstad.
U 1155 put out fro: rvik - 3ogen, at 2350
passed LBdingen for Harstad.
..JO 363, 425, 956, 955 put out from Narvik for
Harstad.
U 315 put in to H rfest from VardB, at 1200
put out again for AB 56 .
Current U-boat operations:
( a ) Convoy operations : None .
(b) Operational measures to intercept enemy traffic:
U 313 in attack area AC 88.
7 boats to provide escort for the transfer of
the "Tirpltz" in patrol line A3 9662 to AC 711
Radio message 0145/787 received from U 995
(Hess ) :
"Test diving in A3 9868: 2 electric motors
clearly heard. ''Ley1' and "Westphaleri11 not
possible. Continuing outward passage.11
Coastal defenses were informed of the possible
enemy submarines.
Short signal- JQ83 1/788 received from U 995
(Hess) :
"Am being att 3d by aircraft. My position
is A3 9'326." . .
Short signal 0925/790 received from U 995
(Hess ) :
n
My short rial of today is canceled .
-1,508-
CONFIDENTIAL
It appeared then that it was one of our own
reconnaissance aircraft.
0900 Radio message 0841/789 sent:
"From Captain U-boats:
According to our air reconnaissance, the
carrier formation was in AF 5378 at 0350,
possibly on northerly course."
1500 Short signal 1243/791 received fro:. 15
(Zoller), outward bound from Hammer fes
"Am being attacked by aircraft."
1325 Short signal l3Q:/797 received:
■ - ■ ■ ■ - ... j
"Am being attacked by aircraft."
1328 Radio message 1248/798:
"Attacked in AC 7512 by "Catalina" with
bombs and guns. No casualties. 3%7cm. gun
clear with restrictions. Second aircraft i
1305 was BV 138."
1529 Radio message 1507/678 sent:
"Group "Re gens chirm" from Captain U-boat
The strong carrier formation reported at
0650 in AF 5370 may be approachin . Boats
within torpedo range should attack immediately
without reporting; boats outside range should
report at once,"
As the result of a conference between Captain
U-boats, Norway and Flieger Fuehrer 5,
divergent reconnaissance was planned for 16
October against the reported carrier formation.
(c) Special operations by single boats:
The following are on transport assignments:
U 365 (Wedemevcr) transporting meteorological
unit "Landvik" to South Spitsbergen.
U 387 (Buchler) transporting meteorological
shorb transmitter "Erich" to Alexandra Lr.nd.
U 636 (Schendel) transporting meteorological
unit "Helhus" to Hope Island.
U 703 (Brunner) transporting metoorological
buoys "Ernst" and "August" .
-1,509-
CONFIDENTIAL
(d) Miscellaneous :
Teleprinter messages 5302 to 5307 F I sent:
Sailing order for IT 956 (Mohs),
Sailing order for U 1163 (Balduhn),
Sailing order for U 668 (von Eickstedt) ,
Sailing order for U 363 (Nees),
Sailing order for U 425 (Bentzien),
Sailing order for U 965 (Unverzagt) ,
see Appendix l/3 .
V. Reports of successes: None.
c* Surface forces :
1420 Radio message 1245/4£ receivgd from 1st Battle
Group through Naval Radio Station, Narvik:
"At 1200 the "Tirpitz" sailed with Captain,
Cruisers on board."
D. Survey of the situation:
0025 Teleprinter message 5309 F I sent to Naval War
Staff, Second Division, C-in-C U-boats Ops:
"U-boat situation in Northern Waters on 15 October
1. German Air Force reported strong carrier
formation at 0650 in AF 5370, northerly course,
4 ships, escort. Attacks off Trondheim on the
Naval Signal Station.
2. A3 a PQ convoy is possible at the same time,
available U-boats sailed for AB 50, six from
Narvik, one from Kammerfest. The latter was
attacked by a "Catalina" in the inner leads.
3. Group "Regenschirm" (7 boats) should probably
conclude operations for operation "Comet" on
16 October.
4. U 365 (Wedemeyer) and U 387 (Buchler) on
meteorological operations. U 636 (Schendel)
detailed to evacuate "Edelweiss II" after
landing meteorological unit "Helhus" in
attack area AB 37.
5. Plan: Interception of PQ' convoy by U-boats
with intermediate wave D/F set and possibly
by air reconnaissance provided for "Comet".
Thereafter 15 to 18 boats will operate against
the convoy."
»
(Signed) Suhrcn.
-1,510-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX I
- - - - -i - i _ i
Most Secret.
Sailing; Orders.
1. Sailing order for U 387 (Btlchler).
2. Sailing order for U 310 (Ley), U 968 (V/estphalen) ,
U 995 (Hess), U 737 (Brasack).
3. Sailing order for U 956 (Mohs), U 1163 (Balduhn),
U 668 (v. Eickstedt), U 363 (Nees), U 425 (Bentzien),
U 965 (Unverzagt) .
-1,511-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPEIjDIX i/l
COPY
Most Secret
Captain U-boats, Norway On board, 8 October, -1044.
Serial No. Most Secret
- 5160 -PI.
Sailing order for U 58.7 (Buchier).
1. Put out from Narvik on the morning of 9 October with
meteorological shore transmitter "Erich" via Tjeldsund
- Finns nesrennen on route "Rot" to TromsB. Pilot
from LBdingen. When passing Narvik boom, report on
"MC" probable time of arrival at TromsB.
2. Mine situation at "Schatzgraber" will be transmitted
by radio to the boat (Chief Petty Officer Wieth on
board for clearing of mines if required).
3. Put out as soon as possible via "SR 1", report on
"Anton I" when TromsB is passed. Proceed to Franz
Josef Land (Alexandra Land) as instructed by Dr. Stobc
who will accompany you. Examine coast carefully
beforehand.
If ice position does not allow you to reach Alexandra
Land, transport set to the northwest coast of Novaya
Zemlya. Coast to be examined particularly carefully as
it is inhabited in parts (see Appendix).
Listen for set's transmissions and then commence return
passage. When passing 76° N, report completion of
assignment by short signal on "Anton I".
4. Operational Order No. 15 for Northern Waters U-boc
in force.
Disposition against convoys possiblo at all times,
attack in accordance with Northern Waters Ordor No.
8.
5. Radio frequency "MC" as far as Harstad, from Harstad
"Anton I", from Narvik Northern Waters very long wave.
U-boat Northern Waters froquency after passing "SR 1" .
6» Enemy situation:
Last PQ, convoy (33), not intercepted, passed north of
Bear Island on approximately 22 September.
Last QP convoy (30) with 25 steamers and normal
destroyer escort ran from 25 to 30 Soptombcr. Convoy
stoorcd wide deception courses, at times close to the
coast (50 milos ) . Simultaneously, a carrior formation
ran on the northern convoy route to draw tho U-boats
to the north. Battleship "Rodney" and 1 auxiliary
carrier were with the convoy.
-1,512-
— -*• ~- — - - — -
Pin r ccnv: groups may be expected
Tly. Air: have -: ired with the
test envoys are:
"Catai: » *Swc rsairs" (?).
"I .las", . tlets" were employe
in attacks cr. the co£.s:. Further, observe I
V?atr_. :.: . :.
7. Own forces :
\ a / ^ ~ - _ s. ~ ^ >
I- * » _ — * _ w •- w — — - _ 1 -_ «
-^^— I I I I ■ i— ^— ^-»
U 313 :r) in AC B8, 0 636 r .iel)
roceedlng to AC 13, ) layir.g
me 1 buoys "Ernst" and ' :st" in tl
west. 1: onl up is"
have no Import the others.
(°) '---" ■--"--'- *-- ^~r:e:
Dail; 1 flights from Tro:
Be to Jan Mi r Island (Ee Ills, Ju B€
FY 200s, BV 1383 ).
.-urther reconnaissance will be ar. i.
. . .-: .
-1,513-
CONFIDENTIAL
Appendix I to Sailing; order for U
(Buchler)
387
1. Pranz Josef Land:
As far as is known, Alexandra Land is not inhabited.
Russian airfields said to be on a few islands in the
south or on the southeastern part of Pranz Josef Land,
therefore expect enemy aircraft (ice reconnaissance).
Pull anti-aircraft readiness must be ensured.
2. Novaya Zemlya:
Charts of the northern part of Novaya Zemlya are scarce
and inadequate. Russian whalers must be expected
although, according to past experience, all whaling
ships have left northern Novaya Zemlya by the beginning
of October.
According to the Soviet Naval publication on "Kara S~au,
the following are inhabited points in the north island
of Novaya Zemlya (north of Matochkin Strait):
Radio and polar stations:
Capo Jelaniya:
Russkaya Savaniya:
Matochkin Strait:
Lagernaya:
Cape Stolbovi:
Mali Karmakulski:
76° 58' N,
76° 11 » N,
73° 15' N,
North bank
exit of
72° 38'
Matochkin
N, 54° E.
72° 24' N, 52° 38'
68° 35» E.
62° 36» E.
57° 23' E.
of tho western
Strait.
E.
Places inhabited continuously or at times, apart from
polar stations on the west coast:
Mityushikha Bay:
Melki Bay:
Krostovaya Bay:
Sevcrnaya Sulmoncva Bay
Mashigina Bay:
Sadovskogo Bay:
Sosnovskogo Bay:
Arkhangclskaya Bay:
Gorbovie islands:
(about 73° 35' N) Hut,
frequently visited by
fishermen and trappers,
(about 74° N) Hut.
(about 74° 12' N) .
Continually inhabited colony
(land path over pass from
here 150 meters to the east
coast) .
30' N) Hut.
42' N) Small hut.
58' N) Smidovic;
on tho southeast
coast of Admiralty Ponlnsul ,
South coast of Admiralty
Peninsula. Small hut.
(about 75° 54 » N) .
at 3 frequently visited b;
fishermen and trappers.
74<
74l
(about
(about
(about 74°
settlement
-1,514-
CONFIDENTIAL
Russkaya harbors
Near the polar station a
settlement consisting of a
house, 2 barns, cookhouse and
whale refinery. 1 motorboat
and rowing boat available.
The bays north of Krestovaya bay and the area around
Gorbovie islands and to the north of them are often
visited by fishermen and trappers in the summer.
Russian ice reconnaissance aircraft must be expected.
Submarine reconnaissance is also possible. Since
September, signal and radio stations have, had orders to
increase watchfulness against U-boats.
A guardship lies off Cape Jelaniya. The only enemy
naval forces to be expected are very heavily armed ice-
breakers.
-1,515-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX 1/2
COPY
Most Secret
Captain U-boats, Norway On board, 13th October, 1944.
Serial No. Most Secret
- 5271 -PI.
Sailing; order for U 510 (Ley), U 958 (Y/estphalen),
TJ 995 (Hess), U 757 (Bras acTTT
1. Put out from Narvik on 14 October. Report time of
sailing on "MC" .
2. Proceed through Andfj or d at a distance of 50 miles
from the coast to (see under 6(a)). Pilot from
Lodingen to TromsB.
In any encounters at night in the inner leads, set
navigation lights, illuminate the bow, give warning
note on steam whistle. Increased danger from submarines
off Andfj or d and in the formation.
3. Operational Order No. 15 for Northern Watera U-boats in
force. Attack convoys in accordance with Northern Waters
Order No. 8. Remain unobserved in the formation;
surface only to charge batteries and take fixe .
4. Radio frequency "MC" as far as Harstad, Northern . rs
very long wave, from Harstad U-boat Northern Waters
frequency. Radio silence except for enemy reports.
5» Enemy situation: ■
Last PQ, convoy (33), not intercepted, passed north
of Boar Island on approximately 22 September.
Last QP convoy (30) with 25 stoamors and normal
destroyer escort ran from 29 to 30 September. Convoy
stoered wide deception courses, at times close to th
Norwegian coast (50 miles). Simultaneously, a carri
formation ran on the northern convoy route to draw the
U-boats to the north. Battleship "Rodnoy" and 1
auxiliary carrier wore with the convoy. Further convc
and carrier groups may bo expected concurrontl .
Aircraft which have appeared with the latest convoys I
"Catalinas", "Swordf iah", "Fulmars", "Corsairs11 (?).
"Seafires", "Barracudas" and "Martlets" wore omployod .
in attacks on the coast. Further, observo Northorn
Waters Directions Nos. 22, 24 and 30.
-1,516-.
CONFIDENTIAL
6. Own forces:
(a) U-boats :
Special operations: "J 703 (Brunner) in the west,
U 365 (7/edemeyer), U 636 (Schendel), U 387 (Buchler)
in the north, U 313 (Schweiger) in AC 88, U 315
(Zoller) returning from Vard'6 to Hammerf est .
The following are forming a patrol screen as group
"Regens chirm" : U 310 (Ley) in AB 9662 upper center.
edge, U 968 (Westphalen) in AB 9636 left upper edge,
U 995 (Kess) AC 7177 left center edge, U 737 (Brasack)
AC 7175 right center edge, U 997 (Lehmann) AC 7181
right., lower . corner j U 293 (Klingspor) AC 7186 upper
center edge, U. 771 (Block) AC 7195 lower center
edge .
Group must occupy positions by 0600 on 15 October
at the latest.-
(b) German Air Force:
Daily meteorological flights from Trondheim or
TromsB and from Banak to Jan Mayen and Spitsbergen
(He Ills, Ju 88s, BV 138s, PW 200s).
Observe Northern Waters Directions No. 29. Further
German naval forces and aircraft v/ill be announced.
7. This order is to be destroyed after putting in to port.
13. p. Reche .
-1,517-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX 1/2
COPY
Most Secret
Captain U-boats, Norway On board, 15 October, 19<- ,
Serial No. Most Secret
- 5302 and 5307 P I .
Sailing order for U 956 (Mohs). U 1163 (Bal ..a),
U.66.8 (von Eickstedt). U 563 (Nees). U 4£- C;cntzi,n).
U 965 (Unverzagt ) .
1. Put out from Narvik on the morning of 16 October.
Report promptly on "MC" .
p
Proceed through Tjeldsund - Andf jord to AB 59, U 956 to
AB 9414, U 965 to AB 5724.
In any encounters at night in the inner leads, set
navigation lights, illuminate the bow and give v/arning
note on steam whistle.
3. Operational Order No. 15 for Northern Waters U-boats
in force. Attack convoys in accordance with Northern
Waters Order No. 8. Observe Northern Waters Direction
No. 33. Remain unobserved in the formation; surfaco
only to recharge batteries and take fixes.
4. Radio frequency "MC" as far as Harstad, Northern Waters
very long wave, U-boat Northern Waters radio frequency
from Harstad. Radio silence except to report main
targets, first appearance of carrier-borne aircraft or
if observed.
5. Enemy situation:
Last PQ convoy (33), not intercepted, passed north of
Boar Island on approximately 22 September.
Last QP convoy (30) with 25 steamers and normal
destroyer escort ran from 29 to 30 September.
Convoy steered wide deception courses, at times closo
to the Norwegian coast (50 miles). Simultaneously, a
carrier formation ran on the northern convoy route to
draw the U-boats to the north. Battleship "Rodney" and
1 auxiliary carrier were with the convoy. Further
convoys and carrier groups may bo oxpectod concurrent- .
Aircraft which have appeared with the latest convc
:.ro: "Catalinas", "Swordfish" "Fulmars'1, "Corsairs" (?).
"Barracudas", "Seo.fircc" and "Martlets" w jmploycd
in attacks on the coast. Obscrvo Northorn Waters
Directions Nos. 22, 24 and 30.
6. Own forces :
(a) U-boats : Group "Rcgonschirm" in patrol 3croen from
-1,518-
CCNFIDIiniAL
Lopphavot AB 9662 to AC 7195 with tho following
boats :
U 310 (Ley), U 968 (Westphalcn) , U 995 (Hoss), U 757
(Brasack), U 997 (Lehmann), U 293 (Klingspor),
U 771 (Block). -
In attack areas: U 636 (Schondcl) AB 37, U 315
(Zollcr) proceeding to AB 56.
Special operations; U 703 (Brunner) in tho west,
U 565 (Wedomcyer), U 387 (Buchler) in the north.
(b) German Air Force:
Daily meteorological flights from Trondheim or
Tromso and from Banak to Jan Mayen and Spitsbergen
(He Ills, Ju 88s, BV 138s, FW 200s). Observe
Northern Waters Direction No. 29. Further German
naval forces and aircraft will be announced.
7. This order is to be destroyed after putting in to port.
p.p. Reche.
-1,519-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX II.
Most Secret.
Short reports .
1. Short report from U 997
2. Short report from U 956
3. Short report from U 425
4. Short report from U 312
5. Short report from U 365
Waters operation, sixth
6. Short report from U 968
7. Short report from U 757
8. Short report from U 315
9. Short report from U 387
10. Short report from U 636
11. Short
12. Short
13. Short
14. Short
15. Short
16. Short
17. Short
18. Short
19. Short
20. Short
21. Short
report
report
roport
report
report
report
report
report
report
report
report
from U 668
from U 363
from U 965
from U 992
from U 310
from U 293
from U 739
from U 278
from U 307
from U 711
from U 957
Lehmann) , third operation.
•is ) , seventh operation.
Bentzien) , sixth operation.
Nikolay), fourth operation.
demeyer), third Northern
part- operation.
V/estphalen) , fourth operation.
Brasack), eighth operation.
Zoller) , sixth operatio: . .
Buchler), eighth operation,
Schendel), tenth operation.
von Eickstedt), third operation.
Nees), third operation.
Unverzagt), third operation.
Fhlko), third operation.
Ley), second operation.
Klmgspor), first operation.
Mangold), fifth operatic .
Franze), fifth operation.
Herrlc), ninth oporation.
Langc ) , ninth oporation.
Schaar) , sixth operation.
-1,520-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX Il/l
COPY
■lost Secret
Teleprinter mes s age :
Emergency, Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-In-C
U-boats Ops .
Emergency. Admiral Commanding U-boats.
Emergency. For information Naval War Staff, First
Division.
Emergency. For information 13th U-boat Flotilla.
Most Secret:
Short report from U 997 (Lehmann), third operation.
14 September, 1944 Put out from Hammerfcst.
2 October Put in to Narvik.
16 - 30 September Attack areas with group "Grimmn in
Bear Island passage and to the east.
25 September At noon in AB 6924 proceeding to new
attack area, submerged from large land-
based aircraft, course east, range
15,000 meters, unobserved, no location.
From 30 September At 0055 operated on QP convoy. As we
were more than 250 miles astern of
the convoy when "Ley'' first reported
it, operated on stragglers. At 0300
submerged from attacking flying boat
("Sunderland") .
At 1700 operated on "Bentzien" f a
convoy report. Shadowed battleship or
carrier formation from 1900 to 2100.
Last seen in AB 4789, course 290 ,
spoed approximately 25 fcs . During
the night searched unsuccessfully for
convoy to the southwest.
1 October Broke off operations early, as the
taking of hydrophone bearings and any
unobscrvod underwater attacks wcro
impossible, apparently because of v I
-1,521-
CONFIDENTIAL
.loud rattling of radio receiver even at
slowest submerged speed. Cannot be
remedied with equipment on board.
Comments by Captain U-boats, Norway:
Well-executed operation with no opportunity for attack.
laptain U-boats, Norway Most Secret - 5059 - ? Qos .
-1,522-
CONFIDENTIAL
af: ... ix ii
COPY
-5t Secret
Teleprinter message:
Emergency. Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C
-boats Ops .
Emergency. Admiral Commanding U-boats.
Emergency. For information Naval War Staff, First
Division.
Emergency. For information 13th U-boat Flotilla.
Most Secret.
Short report from U 956 (Mohs), seventh operation,
14 September 1944 Put out from Narvik.
3 October Put in to Narvik.
From 16 September
29 September
50 Soptembor
Proceeded to AC 4773.
In group "Grimm" west and east of
Bear Island passage .
At 0330 in AC 5734 faint hydrophone
bearing, 150°. Half an hour later
large silhouette in periscope,
probably carrier, range 4,000 meters,
northwesterly course, enemy bow left,
angle 90°, high speed. Othorwia
nothing to be seen in the dusk.
Hydrophone bearing: 2 destroyers
a sawing noise, 1 piston noise, id
not attack as torpedo was not r€
quickly enough.
At 0535 in AC 5734 alarm because of
"Swordf ish", range 7,000 meters.
At 0652 in AC 5734 alar. 2auso of
aircraft. Range 10,000 meters, ty;
not identified.
At 2036 in AC 5733' operated on ,!
report of convoy in A 1526.
At 1641 in A3 9368, U 42 5 (Bontzion)
reported convoy in AC 7710. Haul
ahead for night attack, no contact.
-1,523-
::: j::z. iial
i : : t : 1 1 . .- 1 - : l .. : : - .
.-. t pc raft
3) •
A ~ - : :
ft, range -bly
flying boat .
At 1 La b€ 0°,
range 5,OC bei le
Ly
:_t w!t^ locatj
3 .
.-. t 7 4 1 : : :
.-.3 56.
2 Octot Pv q to Harstad.
little
by not : : ing
up -lent at
so that : y was lcs z by the only shad
i.
.~:-.iain V-::"~s« ":i :~ I.: = i iii.iT - fC-55 - ~ 1:
- 1 , 524-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX I 1/3
COPY
Most Secret
Teleprinter no 3 sago;
Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C U-boats
Emergency. Admiral Commanding U-boats.
Emergency. For information Naval War Staff, First
Division.
Emergency. For information 13th U-boat Flotilla.
Most Secret.
Short report from U 425 (Bentzien), sixth operai . .
14 September 1944 Put out from Hammerfest.
3 October Put in to Narvik.
From 16 September
26 September
29 September
30 September
1 October
Proceeded to AC 4146.
West and east of Bear Island passage
with group "Grimm" .
Attack area AC 5640, depth of sweep
50 miles. Nothing sighted, unobserved.
At 2240 hauled ahead at maximum sp
course 250°, to act on "Ley" *s convoy
report. 200 miles astern.
oy sighted in AC 477 1
probably "Rodney" and
r with 4 destroyers 5
convoy. 26 units wcr
At 1641 conv
heavy units,
heavy cruise
ahead of the
counted.
Shadowed unt
at nightfall
made a sharp
Mean convoy course was 230°, speed 10
knots .
il 2140. Then lo3t co-
in A3 9386 when formation
deviation to tho north.
1 October
Until 0225 searched on various courses
at maximum speed. No hydrophor. arings,
nothing sighted. Haulod ahead to t
west. At 1340 joinod patrol lino
AB 8623.
Operation brokon off. Returned.
-1,525-
::z/::al
C::.-..- r.~.s ':;: Captain V-::s.:Sj
spit lying far astern, . .tained contac _th tl
rating tically, reported well. sll-
sut€ _cr. by reliable nder, even although
had no opportunities t:
C apt air. V-:::t3, I'-.rvcv Most Secr:r - 5064 - F Ces .
-1,526-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX I 1/4
COPY
Most Secret
Teleprinter message:
Emergency. Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C
U-boats Ops .
Emergency. Admiral Commanding U-boats.
Emergency. For information Naval War Staff, First
Division.
Emergency. For information 13th U-boat Flotilla.
Most Secret:
Short report from U 512 (Nikolay), fourth operation.
7 September 1944 Put out from Narvik.
2 October Put in to Narvik.
8 September In AB 9520 submerged unobserved from
"Liberator".
9-30 September In reconnaissance areas with group
"Grimm" .
30 September and
1 October Operated on QP convo; . At the outset
we were too far astern and had to break
off operations at noon on 1 October
because of fuel shortag . No contact
was made. Nothing sighted, no locations.
Experience with 5»7 cm. guns Spring to the cocking handle
repeatedly jumped over the thrust block which is too short.
Fault corrected by v/olding knob to the thrust block.
Comments by Captain U-boats, Norway:
Operation carried out correctly, but with no ch to
attack, as the boat did not reach the convoy.
Captain U-boats, Norway Most Secr:t - 5065 - F Ops.
-1,527-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX I 1/5
COPY
Most Secret
Teleprinter message:
Emergency. Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C
U-boats Ops.
Emergency. Admiral Commanding U-boats.
Emergency. For information Naval War Staff, First
Division.
Emergency. For information 11th U-boat Flotilla.
Most Secret.
Short report from U 365 (Wedemeyer), sixth part-
"""operation (third in Northern Waters): ^P 30.
28 September 1944 Put out from Narvik.
3 October Put in to Narvik.
Made for AC 43.
29 September From 1100 high cruising speed. At 2200
"Ley" reported convoy in AC 4526 at 1520.
My position was AC 4754. Until 0100 on
30 September operated unsuccessful!
against convoy, then hauled ahead to
position line AB 8275. In AB 8333
received report from "Bentzicn" of convoy
in AC 4775 at 1700. Operated on it
unsuccessfully until 1116 on 1 October,
assuming enemy course to be 260° to 230°.
Finally made for patrol line AB 5898.
2 October At 0000 commenced return passage to
Narvik. Suspect that enomy locati
aircraft were operating at night also in
order to guido the convoy past U-boats
without themselves attacking. Focal
point of location was on 29 Soptcmbcr
from 1800 to 2000 in AB 9332 to 6993 and
on 30 September from 1900 to 2330 in AB
9117 to 9168.
No hydrophone bearings, own radar s
broke down, beyond repair.
Comments by Captain U-boats, Norway:
Well-executed operation, but no contact was made owing
to lack of information.
Captain U-boats, Norway Most Secret 5100 F Op, .
-1,528-
CONFIDENTIAL
Teleprinter message
APPE1TDIX IT '
COPY
Most Secret
Emergency. Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C
U-boats Ops .
Emergency. Admiral Commanding U-boats.
Emergency. . For information Naval War Staff, - 'st
Division.
Emergency. For information 13th U-boat Flotilla.
Most Secret.
Short report from U 963 (Westphalen) , fourth oper:- .3? 30.
24 September 1944 Put out from Narvik.
3 October Put in to Narvik.
Proceeded via A3 68 to AC 4366, groi
"Zorn" .
29 September
30 September
1 October
2 October
From 2015 operated on QP convoy In
AC 4460, hauled ahead to north, no
contact .
New convoy position AC 7110. Order^u
to operate. ; 1338 in AC 671
because of "Swordf iah" - >,
1 depth charge nearby. Smoke float
place of submerging. Aircraft circle
for 20 minutes. 10 minutea aftor
surfacing sighted aircraft on com to
buoy, unobserved. Alar . No 1
although' it was almost dark.
At 0300 all-round listening in AC 9<
no results, operated on enomy cours-
250° and hauled ahead. Saw two of our
own U-boats . From 0800 made long
to search for any strap J. HOC
changed position with "I '. At 1230
sot off to position line as ord^
At 2200 reached AC 8310.
At 0000 ordorod to break off op
Returned to Andf jord.
-1,529-
CONFIDENTIAL
Experiences :
While at maximum, speed, "Tunis" can be used only in sea up
to force 2. This is because of its weight and size,
otherwise the installation stood the test. "Hohentwiel"
badly missed. Rod aerial necessary for first sighting
report from underwater position line.
Comments by Captain U-boats, Norway;
Convoy operation with no contact. U-boat operated to the
north from position astern, as the commander considered
HBentzien"'s report of convoy far south as improbable.
Captain U-boats, Norway Most Secret - 5101 - F Ops
-1,530-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX II/7
COPY
Most Secret
Teleprinter message;
Emergency. Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C
U-boats Ops .
Emergency. Admiral Commanding U-boats.
Emergency. For information Naval War Staff, First
Divis ion.
Emergency. For information 13th U-boat Flotilla.
Most Secret.
Short report from U 737 (Brasack), eighth operation: Qf .7. .
16 September Put out from Trondheim.
3 October Put in to Narvik.
17 - 19 September
19 September
21 September
22 September
24 September
26 September
28 September
29 September
29 September
2 October
30 September
In patrol line with croup "Feuer" from
AF 5684 to 5895. 2 "Fliege" locations
on the night of 18/19 September.
Proccodod to Narvik.
Put in to Narvik.
Put out again for Tromso.
Put out from Tromso for attack ar^
AC 5722, group "Grimm". No contact
with the enemy.
AC 5821.
At 1049 sighted flying boat. Submer^
unobserved.
At 0218 location on "Fliegc".
Operated against westbound convi. .
At 1500 fog bank (artificial?) ahead.
When "Bentzicn" reported the convoy in
AC 4775 at 1658 on 30 September, wo lay
due north of it. Hauled ahead for
night attac .
No contact with the oncmy.
-1,531-
CONFIDENTIAL
2 October
Ordered to break off operations, returned
to Narvik.
Comments by Captain U-boats, Norway:
Incorrect tactics in this case. When the convoy was reported
in his vicinity, the commander did not immediately push
ahead to make contact, but believing the naval and air
escorts near the convoy to be too strong, tried to reach a
forward position by circling the escort. The. correct
reaction should have been that if other boats could manage
it, so could U 737. The convoy was thus able to escape
from the only shadower by deviating in the evening.
Captain U-boats, Norway Most Secret - 5105 - F Ops
-1,532-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX I 1/8
COPY
Most Secret
Teleprinter message;
Emergency. Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C
. U-boats Ops .
Emergency. Admiral Commanding U-boatc .
Emergency. For information Naval War Staff, First
Division.
Emergency. For information 13th U-boat Flotilla.
Most Secret.
Short report from U 515 (Zoller), sixth operation; QP 50.
28 September 1944 Put out from Narvik.
3 October Put in to Hammer f "est.
Proceeded to AC 82 and 86.
29 September Proceeded at high cruising speed to
AC 8860. At 2251 operated at maximum
speed on convoy reported by "Ley" in
AC 4526.
30 September At 0410 in AB 9324 "Fliogo" location
becoming louder at times. Submerged
first to A, then to various depths, to
listen for convoy v/hich must be in th
vicinity. Short repair to Diesel. No
hydrophone bearing.
At 0605 in AB 9325 at periscopo depth.
Land-based aircraft bearing 070° to
120°, flying up and down, range 400 -
800 meters, medium altitude. In AB
9321 circling carrier-borne aircraft,
bearing 110 to 125°. Assume that it is
tho forward escort of a convoy or
carrier formation as depth chargos \
coming from the same direction.
At 1015 aircraft lost to sight.
At 1030 hydrophone bearing, wo th
stopped.
At 1105 one of our U-boats, course 250°,
slight speed, surfaced showing broad
silhouette. Proccodod westward
maximum speed.
-1,533-
CONFIDENTIAL
At 1158 ordered by radio to procood to
position lino from A3 8169 to 8524 on
1 October. Made for AB 8271.
At 1353 2 aircraft in AB 6898 (type not
identified), bearing 190°, range 18,000
meters, medium altitude, flying past.
Remained on the surface.
At 1550 carrier-borne aircraft, bearing
340°, range 15,000 meters, flying past.
Remained on the surface.
At 1755 operated on report from "Bentzien"
that convoy was in AG 7110. Hauled ahead
of convoy's reported course.
• At 2234 "Bentzien" lost contact. Hauled
ahead at maximum speed.
1 October At 0300 submerged to listen on hydrophones.
No hydrophone bearings. According to
hydrophone bearing from "Ley", we must
have passed close to the convoy in AB
9258. Pressed on to the northwest.
At 0635 "Ley" reported destroyer in AB
_._ _'_ 8545. Wont on to 210°,. then altered
course to 240°. 1 Diesel brok«^ down
for 3 hours .
At 1330 made for patrol '.. .. position in
AB 5894 . as ordered.
At 2400 commenced return passage to
Kammerfest as ordered.
Comments by Captain U-boats, Norway.
Well-executed convoy operation, but no contact or success
owing to lack of sufficient information on the convoy's
course .
Captain U-boats, Norway Most Secret - 5118 - F Ops.
-1,534-
confidential
^ -k:;lix 11/9
COPY
Most 3-jcr -
Teleprinter message:
Emergency. Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C
U-boats Ops .
Emergency. Admiral Commanding U-boats.
Emergency. For information Naval War Staff, First
Division.
Emergency. For information 13th U-boat Flotilla.
. .--st Secret .
Short report from U 587 (Buchler), oirhth operation.
28 September 1944 Put out from Trondheim.
5 October Put in to Narvik.
Moved from Trondheim to Narvik.
50 September -
2 October Operated on QP 50. After "Bentzien"
had lost contact in AB 9386, search
until 1500 on 1 October in AB 9495.
Enemy not sighted. Good results with
"Tunis", several locations recorded.
No now information.
Comments by Captain U-boats, Nor.
No contact owing to lack of information on the convoy's
courses .
Captain U-boats, Norway Most Secret - 5117 - :-ps.
-1,555-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX 11/10
COPY
Most Secret
Teleprinter message:
Emergency. Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C
U-boats Ops ,
Emergency. Admiral Commanding U-boats.
Emergency. For information Naval War Staff, First
Division.
Emergency. For information 13th U-boat Flotilla.
Most Secret.
Short report from U 656 (Schendel), tenth operation: ?VP "•
25 September 1944 Put out from TromsB.
2 October Put in to Harstad.
Proceeded via AC 43 to AC 4319, group
"Zorn".
25
29
29 September
30 September
Nothing sighted.
Operated on "Ley"'s report of convoy
in AC 4526, Hauled ahead to the north.
Nothing sighted.
30 September -
1 October
30 September
1-2 October
Operated on "BentzienM,s report of
convoy in AC 4775.
At 1925 drove off "Swordfish'1 in AB 6491.
No damage, otherwise nothing sighted.
Group "Grimm" in AB 8387. Nothing
sighted.
Comments by Captain U-boats, Norway:
No contact, no success owing to lack of information on
the convoy's courses.
Captain U-boats. Norw • ;. ost Secret - 511 J - _.
-1,536-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPEIiDIX 11/11.
------
CO
Most Secret
Teleprinter message;
Emergency. Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C
U-boat3 Ops,
Emergency. Admiral Command!. -boats.
Emergency. • For information Naval War Staff, First
Division.
ergency. For information 13th U-boat Flotilla.
st Secret.
Short report from U 669 (v. Eickstedt), third operation.
("Grimm", "Schv/efel" , "ZornT
14 September 1944 Put out from merfest.
3 October Put in to Narvik - Bogen.
Proceeded to AC 4773 ("Grimm").
15 September
16 September
17 September
18 September
18 - 25 September
27 September
28 September
29 September
30 September
Attack area AC 4495.
AB 6995.
Proceeded via Lopphavet to Alta
("Schwefel") .
Put in to Kaaf jord.
In Altaf jord to escort Battle Grou .
At 1430 put out for AC 45.
At 2200 reached patrol line in AC 4361
("Zorn").
At 2030 returned to Hammerfost to
disembark sick Watch Officer.
.At 1850 in attack area AC 4930, acting
on ,tMohst,|a aircraft carrier roport.
At 1300 Watch Officer t] red to
escort at approach point. Continued to
operate on ri? convoy.
At 1800 enemy submarino in AC 7173.
-1,537-
confide:" ial
1 October At 1800 reached AB 8345 in patrol line
("Grimm") .
1-2 October Nothing sighted or heard on hydrophones
apart from our own U-boats .
At 0600 returned to Narvik.
::_nes (Mark XX. ) ; On 16.. September A3 6995, 18 September 7455,
29 September ^C 4338 (Russian aircraft or submarine mine),
2 October A3 8682.
r : r. -■••.-:■ r.i.: ;;: ".'a^:~ai2. V-:;::3; ^"orv/ay:
Convoy operation with no contact owing to lack of information.
Captain U-boats, Norway Most Secret - 5120 -. F Ops.
-1,538-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX 11/12
COPY
Most Secret
29 September
Teleprinter message:
Emergency. Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C
U-boats Ops .
Emergency. Admiral Commanding U-boats.
Emergency. For information Naval War Staff, First
Division.
Emergency. For information 13th U-boat Flotilla.
laost Secret:
Short report from U 563 (Nees), third operation: . :Q>
28 September 1944 Put out from Narvik.
3 October Put in to Narvik.
Proceeded to operational area AC 4 .
Proceeded at high speed to AC 4980.
At 1600 "Fliege" location in AC 4378,
submerged, 30 minutes later 35 distant
deterrent depth charges at int. La
of 3 to 5 minutes .
At 2000 operated on report from ,fLe.
of convoy in AC 4526.
"Fliegeu location in AB 6995, aubi
At 1309 set course for now position line
AB 8169 to 8524.
At 1820 operated on " zicn"'s report
of convoy in AC 4775.
Hauled ahead on probablo convoy courc
as far north as 70° N.
At 1612 set course for patrol lino in
^3 8232.
Arrived at 0015.- Commenced return
passage to Narvik. No attack followed
location, submerged to remain
unobserved. No aircraft a ring
the operation.
Comments by Captain U-boaU, , ::■ -,.-':
Convoy operation with no contact owing to lack of
information.
Captain U-boats, Norway Most Socr t: - . :■ . - .• /:_;_. .
30 September
1 October
2 October
-1,539-
CONFIDENTIAL
A- - ' »;x 11/12
COPY
Most Secret
Teleprinter message:
Emergency. Naval "»Var Staff, Second Division, C-in-C
U-boats Ops .
Emergency. Admiral Commanding U-boats.
Emergency. For information Naval Chief Command, Norway,
Ops. Staff.
Emergency. For information Naval War Staff, First
Division.
Emergency. For information 13th U-boat Flotilla.
Most Secret.
Short report from U 965 (Unverzagt), third operation,
(" Edelweiss II", & 50):
19 August 1944 Put out from Narvik.
3 October
22 August
1 September
8 September
16 September
22 September
26 September
Put in to Narvik.
Moved to TromsB to take on mines, then
on to Hammerfest.
Attacked off Hammerfest by fighter
("Martlet"). 3 dead, 8 wounded.
Minelaying operation broken off.
Returned to Narvik via TromsB to unload
mines ,
Put out from Narvik. Operation
,lGoldschmiedu . Moved to TromsB.
Group "Schwefel" at disposal of 3att.
Group and Commandant, Altaf jord.
Moved to TromsB. At readiness for
"Edelweiss II".
Put out from TromsB to AB 28 to Hh 89
with meteorological survey ship "Exorst
Nothing sighted, no locations. (Ice lim
- East Greenland) .
-1,540-
CONFIDENTIAL
29 September
September
1 October
At 0230 left meteorological ship in in
6997 in strz: ift ice, steered
rther on .^rse of 300c.
As ^P convey was reported, made for AB
45 without stopping.
Joined group "Grimm" , operated on
convoy. No enemy ccr.tac:. No er.e.
locations .
Commenes by Captain "-bears \v:
1. Simple escort duty.
2. Did not reach QP convoy because of the distance involved.
Car-tain U-boats, Moi'v/a;.- Most Secret - 5144 - ? 1.
-. ,541-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX 11/14
COPY
Most Secret
Teleprinter message;
Emergency.
Emergency.
Emergency,
Naval War Staff, Second Division C-in-C
U-boats Ops .
Admiral Northern Waters .
For information Naval War Staff, F
Di I _ i
ivision.
Emergency. For information 13th U-boat Flotilla .
Most Secret .
Short report from U 992 (Falke), third operation: ^: . .
15 September 1944 Put out from Narvik .
3 October
4 October
13-26 September
27 - 29 September
30 September -
3 October
30 September
Put in to Hammerfest.
Put in to Narvik.
Set up meteorological shore transmit!
"Walter" on Jan Mayen. No contact with
the enemy.
Security boat for reconnaissance flight
in A3 5483.
Operated on QP convoy and in patrol
line in group "Zorn" .
At 1248 "Sv/ordfish" in AB 6759.
Unobservc , Alar . Aircraft t
crossed our course while we w
scope depth. At 1257 hydrophc.
bearing, 040°. After deviation,
steered collision oours. . Det^ .t
depth charges in series continuously .
At" 1450 2 destroyers of "Jorvis" and
"K" or "N" classes in AB 6764, courso
260°, speed 3-4 knot . One with
noise box, often switched off for short
.e. At 1540 lay botweon 2 destroy
at periscope depth. n-of-throo not
clear. Curve shot promises no succ
Still a broad noise band, bearing OC
- 070°. Suspoct convoy. The: -o
-1,542-
::PlDE:riAL
pressed through the escort unobserved
without attackin . At 1645 in AB 6729,
3 destroyers made off to the northwest,
then no more hydrophone bearings . At
1955 in A3 8729 operated on convoy report
from "Bentzien" , convoy course 230° -
250°. En . t sighted. "Tunis"
functioned z. ut operation, no
location picked up.
.' :. —-:-nt-3 by Captain *J- beats, I'lcrv.'av;
1, V/ell - uted landing operation.
2. Operation on Q^P convoy brought no contact or success
tc the si t information on the convc :urse .
In accordance with the erder* no attack was zn on the
2 destroyers because the commander assumed with
justification that the convoy waa still astern.
Caetain U-boats, I,":rw:.;.- :;est Seer:" - 5143 - ~ Ctz.
-1, 5-15-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX 11/15
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Emergency, Naval V/ar Staff, Second Division, C-in-C
U-boats Ops .
Emergency. Admiral Commanding U-boat3 .
Emergency. For information Naval V/ar Staff, First
Division.
Emergency. For information 13th U-boat Flotilla.
Mo3t Secret.
Short report from U 310 (Ley), second operation.
25 September 1944 Put out from Narvik.
3 October Put in to Narvik.
Proceeded via AC 45 to AC 4328 to join
group "Zorn".
29 September En route, hydrophone bearing of 085° at
1400 in AC 4526.
At 1551 2 destroyers, bearing 090°,
angle on the bow 0°. Turned towards
them.
At 1600 convoy some 10,000 meters off,
"Rodney" ahead, aircraft carrier astern
with the convoy, leading ships already
bearing 060°. Observed too late as
attack was first planned on destroyer
which were far away, providing t;
convoy's escort on the starboard bo .
At 1627 3 associated single shots on
3 overlapping steamers, angle on th
bow 80°, rango 5,000 meters.
2 explosions after 5 minutes 2 seconds
and 3 minutes 7 seconds. Dostroyor of
escort on starboard quarter turned
towards us. Quickly dived to 2A then
fired blind curve shot from tube V,
missed. From 1640 to 1816 single depth
charges. Asdic, broad sawing noiso.
At 1956 surfaced. Stoamer burning in
the northwest, fire then put out,
dostroyers noarby. Pursued thorn on
course 270 .
At 2020 sent convoy report.
-1,544-
CONFIDENTIAL
At 2155 "Wanze" location, started 2
"Aphrodites".
30 September At 0733 "Swcrdf ish" flew towards us from
misty horizon, drove it off.
At 0746 alarm, 2 bombs at A t 10, no
casualties .
At 0819 hydrophone bearing, 000°. 2
destroyers in line ahead, angle on the
bow 0°. .Curve shot, angle on the bow
60°, range 2,000 meters, missed. From
0850 to 1041 single depth charges.
At 1200 surfaced in AB 6685. Continued
on course 270°. Assume convoy to be in
the north.
At 1358 4 carrier-borne aircraft,
submerged.
At 1646 operated on "Bentzien" ' s report
of convoy in AC 7110.
1 October Heard destroyer and 2 piston engines in
hydrophones, bearing 090° and 190°, at
0126 and 0144. - - - ;
Operated on convoy course of 230°.
At 0805 heard nothing more, with
"Westphalen" found nothing to the west
and east.
At 1226 ordered to form new patrol line
from AB 5816 to 8689 with 16 other boats.
At 2247 ordered to break off convoy
operations and put in to Narvik.
Comments by Captain U-boats, Norway:
U-boat's first convoy operation carried out with good
fortune and skill. Successes: 1 steamer sunk, 1 steamer
probably hit. Discovery of motor rescue vessel by "Kerrlc'1
confirms that at least 1 steamer (Liberty) was sunk.
Captain U-boats, Norway Most Secret - 5155 - F Ops.
-1,545-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX 11/16
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Teleprinter message;
Emergency.
Emergency.
Emergency.
Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C
U-boats Ops.
Admiral Commanding U-boats .
For information Naval War Staff, First
Division.
Emergency. For information 13th U-bcat Flotilla.
Most Secret.
Short report from U 295 (Klingspor ) , first operation: ...
26 September 1944 Put out from Harstad.
4 October Put in to Kammerfest.
26 September
30 September
Proceeded to patrol line AC 4366 - 42c
group "Zorn" .
Operated from AC 4776 on "Leyn,s report
of convoy in AC 4526.
At 1808 operated on southerly course
from AB 6985 on convoy reported by
"Bentzien" in AC 4775. After contact
was lost searched on northwesterly
courses .
At 1534 in AB 9248. Made for AB 8588
at maximum speed to form patrol line
with group "Grimm" .
Broke off operations as ordered in
9174, Nothing sighted, no hydrophone
bearings or locations.
Returned to Hammcrfost.
Comments by Captain U-boats, Norway;
No contact made with the onomy owing to lack of sufficient
information on convoy courses and late rocoption of radio
messages .
Captain U-boats, No:;/.;/ Most 3, t - , : ■ . - ?
1 October
2 October
-1,546-
CONFIDENTIAL
.. i-i::iDix nj/17
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Emergency.
Emergency.
Emergency.
Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C
U-boats Ops. .
Admiral Comma.nding U-boats .
For information Naval War Staff, First
Division.
Emergency. For information loth U-boat Flotill
Most Secret,
Short report from U 759 (Mangold), fifth or oration (" f")
2 August 1944 Put out from Narvik.
1 November Put in to Hammerfest.
3 October
12 August
16 August
25 August
25 August
1. September
3 September
4 September
Put in to Narvik.
Proceeded through Xf 88 to attack ar
67 and 64.
At the eastern entrance to Matochkin Strait,
no traffic, ice.
At 0955 in AT 6847 and at 1640 in AT 6761,
submerged from "Catalina" .
At 2223 in AT 6725 sighted escort vessel,
lost "her in fog.
At 0941 in AT 6727 "Catalina". At 1956
AT 6432 escort vessel, tacking 3harply, w:
not able to fire.
A
t 0739 in AT 6473 submerged from "Catalin
Procoodcd to AS 4331.
At 1150 in AS 1998 met H ir." . fc 1256
submerged from "Catalin ' . ~t 1435 in .'»S
4532 avoidod fan-of-fou. 0 submor<
from flying boat.
Torpedo in tube V not clear, discharged it,
continued eastward.
-1,547-
CONFIDENTIAL
5 September
At lB35~In" XA" 7453 hydrophone bearing.
At 1744 in XA 7541 curve shot missed
destroyer of "C-rosny"' class on northeast i
course .
6 hours of explosions off Kravkova (depth
charges aimed "at U 362 (Franz)?)
7-11 September Proceeded to AF 80 to send situation report.
Met "Franze" off Belukha islet.
6 September
12 September
15 September
18 September
20 September
21 September
22 September
24 September
Met "Lange", "Schaar", "Franze"'' .
Proceeded eastward.
At 1555 4 escort vessels in XA 5945.
While hauling ahead, unfortunately went
into an ice field. Tubes III and IV not
clear .
Met "Lango" and "Schaar" off Belukha.
At 1148 in XA 7382 submerged from
"Catalina". At 1710 operated on convoy
report from "Lango" .
At 1027 in XA 4987 westbound convoy. At
2149 in XA 7169 curve shot missed freighter.
Depth charges in the distance.
At 0901 sank an escort boat in AS 2723.
Boat hit by 1 curve shot, 1 T III torpedo:
1 curve shot, 1 T III torpedo miss.
Catalina" over escort boat.
At 0805 mot "Lango" and "Schaar" in AS
2417. Commenced return passage.
Drifting mines in AC 4932.
Drifting mines in AC 6123.
"Hohentwiel" cable reeved again after
14 days in spite of being renewed before
sailing.
Comments by Captain U-boats, Norway;
1. Reliable commander carried uut an efficient shallow water
operation despite difficult navigational and ice conditions.
2. Torpedo failure probably caused by vibrations in the ice
and lower water temperatures cr even by layering and echo
effect.
Successes: 1 escort boat sunk.
27 September
5 August
7 August
Captain U-boats, Norway Most Secret - 5165 - F 1.
-1,548-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX 11/18
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Emergency.
Emergency,
Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-
U-boats Ops .
Admiral Commanding U-boats.
For information Naval War Staff, First
Division.
Emergency. For information 13th U-boat Flotilla.
Most Secret.
Short report from U 278 (Franze). fifth operation,
("Oreif", "Grimm"Ti
2 August 1944 Put out from Hammerfest.
2 October Put in.
3 October Put in to Narvik.
2-12 August ' Proceeded via 8.F 88 to Kara Sea.
12 August
In AT 8371 single-cngined Russian flying
boat approached from low cloud, no location,
3#7 cm. gun temporarily out of action.
Drove ■ it off with twin guns.
13 - 31 August In attack area off Yugorski Strait (AT 85).
Scarcely any traffic. 2 stoamors and a f
small vessels sighted. Suspectod minefield
off Bell point to tho cast' found to bo
confirmed.
24 August
1-5 September
In AT 6568. came upon a destroyer of "Uritski"
class and 2 escort vessels in the darkne;:.j.
Underwater night attack on dostroyer, at
2351 curve shot missed. Presumably the
vessel made a turn of 90° after hearing th
shot on hydrophones . 12 modium dopth
charges at '-'A + 20. No casualties.
Procoodcd to soa area around Nona Islands
via oosition linos I (AS 1982) and II
(XA 7185) .
-1,549-
CONFIDENTIAL
6 September
8 September
9 September
12 September
16 September
23 September
24 September
25 September
26 September
29 September
Dropped anchor in a bay of the Kravkovo
Islands. Look-out periscope camouflaged
as light buoy . After a short time
minesweeper approached. Left island.
From 0916 to 1306, 31 explosions were
heard in the southwest. ' (U 362 (Franz)?)
Tried to reach Kravkovo again in the
morning, driven away by a cruising MO-bcat.
Stayed in the area until 11 September,
daily patrols by JVKX-.boats , ence ."Catalinr ".
Landing operation on Rigncs Island to
destroy suspected radio station, which wo
found abandoned (camp site, wooden mast,
dry batteries lying around) . 7\Tithdrew
quickly as 2 patrol vessels were on the
other side of the island, one of them
close to the land.
Met "Mangold" as ordered off Belukha
islets and, after a conference, occupied
attack area XA 7310.
Met "Lange", "Schaar", "Mangold" off
Belukha islets and, after a conference,
proceeded to Kara Sea shipping route.
Occupied attack areas AT 6420 and 6430.
Returned to carry out ice reconnaissance
as ordered.
Confirmed ice limit in If 8388. Made
for AC 45.
Joined group "Grimm", reached attack area
AC 6.744 on 28 September.
At 1930 ceased to operate against QP 30
because of lack of fuel.
Comments by Captain U-boats, Norway;
Well-executed, efficient operation in shallow water by
reliable commander, no successes.
Captain U-boats, Norway Most Secret - 5164 - F 1
-1,550-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX 11/19
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Teleprinter message;
Emergency.
Emergency.
Emergency.
Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C
U-boats Ops.
Admiral Commanding U-boats.
For information Naval War Staff, First
Division.
Emergency. For information 13th U-boat Flotilla.
Most Secret.
Short report from U 307 (Herrle), ninth operation,
("Haudegen" )T"
10 September 1944 Put out from Hammerfest.
4 October Put in to Hammerfest.
7 October Put in to Narvik.
10 September
14 September
17 September
23 - 27 September
28 September
Proceeded from Hammerfest with
meteorological survey ship "Busch"
east of Spitsbergen and around
Nordaustland to Rijpf jord.
Reconnaissance and setting-up of
meteorological station "Haudegen" in
Rijpfjord.
Reconnaissance of northeastern bays
and setting-up of alternative camps:
Walenbcrgf jord, Albrocht Bay, Duvcfjord.
In Rijpfjord supporting tho setting-up
of the camp. Sot off with motoorologic
ship "Buschi?.
Proceeded to Licfdef jord. Roturnod
via Raudf jord, Sorgf jord, Hinlopon
Strait, Hope Island.
Comments by Captain U-boats, Norway:
Meteorological operation carriod out according to plan by
roliablo U-boat, no oncmy encounter; .
Captain U-boats, Norway Most Secret - 5181 - F 1.
-1,551-
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX 11/20
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Most Secret
Teleprinter message:
Emergency.
Emergency.
Emergency.
Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C
U-boats Ops .
Admiral Commanding U-boats .
For information Naval War Staff, First
Division.
Emergency. For information 13th U-boat Flotilla.
Most Secret.
Short report from U 711 (Lange), ninth operation ("Greix1').
7 September 1944 Put out from Hammerfest.
3 October Put in to Hammerfest.
4 October
7 September
11 September
13 September
15 September
15 September
Put in to Narvik.
Proceeded to Kara Sea via X.F 88 to
group "Greif" .
At 2125 submerged in AC 4892 as a
"Fliege" location became stronger.
At 1600 from AT 3212, proceeded
submerged to Jclaniya Radio Station, no
vessels intercepted there.
In XA 7450 searched the northerly soa
route between RIgnos and Belukha i3let
for enemy traffic.
In XA 7536 sightod Soviot guardship No.
25, escort boat typo. Range 14 miles,
southwesterly course, speod approximatol
14 knots* Hauled ahoad as fa:
Kaminskogo Island, vc'ssol lost to sight
in bad visibility.
In XA 7561 on return passage along the
patrol route close to the coast, sight
radio station and building in 75° 33«7«
91° 30 « E. A nearby bay was an auxilia:
anchorage for patrol vessels.
-1,552-
CONFIDENTIAL
16 September
17 - 18 September
20 September
21 September
In XA 7532 met group "Greif" off
Belukha. Refuelled U 739. Decided
that 3 U-boats would make a thrust to
Wilkitzki Strait and further east, group
radio frequency with radio procedure like
that of the Russians.
North winds had brought a lot of ice off
Russki Island and in '.Vilkitzki Strait.
New ice. Damaged by ice: forward
periscope, all-round dipole and 3*7 cm.
anti-aircraft gun. Returned with group
"Greif" to Belukha.
At 0754 in XA 7532 "Catalina" in the
northwest. Range 20,000 meters, westerly
course, unobserved.
At 0830 mot "Schaar" and "Mangold".
Refuelled from "Schaar" whoso boat had
suffered greater ice damage.
At 1600 made for radio station on Cape
Sredni, no vessels in Eklips bay.
North of Russki. Drift ice and new. ice
forming. . .___—:-...-
At 0632 in XA 5757 stern curve shot
fired at patrol vessel of 800 tons,
speed 9 knots, enemy bow left, angle 60°,
range 1,800 meters, torpedo went in the
direction of the hydrophone bearing,
blowing-hoad failure after 4 minutes .
Missed. Wont in pursuit.
At 1000 in M 5781, submerged off Russki
radio station, as it was known to be an
approach point. f> escort vessels from
the northwest, angle on the bow 0°.
Steam trawler in the southeast, no convoy.
Attacked the probable search group.
At 1048 stern curve shot fired at twin-
funnelled destroyer or torpedoboat, angle
on the bow 0°, speed 9 knots, range
1,800 meters, depth-setting 4 motors.
Torpedo ran in direction of hydrophone
bearing, no explosion, missed.
At 1050 bow curve shot fired at vessel
of steam trawler type } enemy bow right,
angle 20°, speed 9 knots, depth-setting
3 meters, range 1,200 meters. Ran on
hydrophone bearing, after 12 minutes no
explosion, missed.
At 1122 bow T3 A torpedo fired with
long left loop at 3 escort vessels,
enemy bow left, angle 45° - 55°, range
2,500 meters, setting for prcliminary
run 2,000 meters, depth-setting 4
meters. Aimed at middle vessel. No
explosion, missed.
-1,553-
CONFIDENTIAL
22 September
23 September
At 1125 bow T3 A torpedo, circling
shot, fired at 2 vessels of Russian
escort type in narrow formation, enemy
bow right, angle 0° to 3°, range 2,300
meters, speed 8-9 knots, depth-
setting 4 meters, setting for
preliminary run 1,000 meters, allowing
for enemy speed of 5 knot. . d at
vessel on the right. No explosion,
missed. Boat v/as passed over 4 times
while at A - 55, then according to
hydrophone bearings, search group made
for Russki and altered course to west
above us. Pursued them. Suspect from
hydrophone bearings that a convoy from
the east was picked up off Russki.
At 1827 in XA 5771 silhouettes in the
south, westerly course, speed 9 knot3,
only escort vessels, radio traffic.
At 1836 altered course to oast, turn
towards them.
At 1849 escort vessel asked us for
recognition signal by radio. Submerged.
At 1855 in XA 5771 bow curve shot fired
on hydrophone bearing at 2 escort \
course 000°, speed 8 knots, according to
dead reckoning range 800 motors, depth-
setting 4 because of ice, no explosion,
•missed. Escort again proceeded eastward.
Surfaced in ice.
At 0400 in XA 4994 2 escort vessels from
the east, range 7,000 meters, speed 8
knots, disappeared again in the mist on
easterly course. Presume only search
groups at present.
At 0845 in XA 4986 2 escort v^ss^ls in
the north again, lost to sight on
northerly course, range 8 mile ■ Expect
convoy to pass near us. Prom 1345
operated on convoy reported by U 957 in
XA 7292. Could only make 14 knot .
Shadowed convoy from 0020.
At 0435 we lay in XA 7441. in t]
convoy, a T III A torpedo proved to
a tube-runner after tho bow-cap open
and was discharged at Dicsol escort
vessel 900 motors distant, onomy bow
right, angle 65 . Circle-runner, div^d
quickly; at A - 44 struck the sea-bed,
at the same time the torpodo cxplodod
above us after 3 minutes 25 seconds
running time, no serious damage.
was in the midst of the starboard oscort,
nothing seen because of smoke from
steamors.
At 1025 in AS 2486 sightod ma3t top and
smoke cloud in AS 2726 and rcpor
-1,554-
CONFIDENTIAL
At 1057 in AS 2486 probable enemy
periscope, range 1,000 meters.
At 1100 mast top and smoke cloud in AS
2722.
At 1710 convoy in AS 2775, course 170°,
speed 8 knots; 2 steamers, 6 escort
vessels in broad formation.
At 1725 fired T III A torpedo at leading
steamer of 5,500 G.R.T., range 2,500 -
3,000 meters, -enemy bow right, angle 45°,
speed 8 knots, long loop to the right,
preliminary run 2,000 meters, depth-
setting 5 meters. No explosion. Missed.
At 1728 fired T III A torpedo at seoond
steamer of 3,000 C-.R.T., enemy bow right,
angle 35°, range 3,000 - 3,500 meters,
speed 8 knots, preliminary run 2,500
meters, depth setting 5 motors. No
explosion. Missed.
At 1735 fired bow curvo shot at outer
starboard escort, range 1,400 meters,
angle on the bow 0°j depth-setting 5
meters, speed 9 knots, then submerged.
Torpedo ran on hydrophone bearing, no
explosion, missed.
Lost contact.
24 September
25 September
26 September
27 September
3 October
At 0345 in AS 2496 submerged because of
approaching "Catalina", range 10,000
meters, unobserved.
At 1540 met U 957 off Scott-Hanscn island.
Transferred landing party for destruction
of Stcrlogova radio station to "Schaar".
At 2300 from XA 7571 passed Stalinza Islet
and put in to the "Bay of false fire"
where we safeguarded the operation from
the seaward side.
In XA 7493, after successfully surprising
the radio station, wo rested on the sea-
bed off Stcrlegova. Because of the
weather, it was not possible to embark
before 26 September. Radio traffic
maintained by Russians under the
supervision of 2 members of the radio
intercept group.
At 1830 the landing party from "Schaar"
sot Stcrlegova on fire. Petrol tanks
and remaining buildings were destroyed.
At 0800 in AS 2417 met !'Schaar" and
"Mangold" east of Isvesti Zik Island.
Transferred fuel oil to "Schaar".
Finally returned via AF 88 and AC 54.
At 0845, shortly after picking up the
escort, a "Boston" flew towards us from
the east at medium altitude, opened
fire at 5,000 meters, turned away to the
west .
-1,555-
CONFIDENTIAL
Comments by Captain U-boat3 , Norway:
1. Another excellent operation carried out by outstandi
commander, several successes escaped him because of
torpedo failures as yet unexplained.
2. More details in torpedo short report.
3. Successes ; Important reconnaissance information v/a3
gained. "The boat also shared in the destruction of a
radio station, taking valuable prizes and prisoners.
Captain U-boats, Norway Most Secret - 5194 - F Otos .
-1,556-
.
CONFIDENTIAL
APPENDIX 11/21
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Teleprinter message :
Emergency. Naval War Staff, Second Division, C-in-C
U-boats Ops .
Emergency. Admiral Commanding U-boats.
Emergency. For information Naval War Staff, First
Division.
Emergency. For information 13th U-boat Flotilla.
Clear as multiple address message.
Most Secret.
Short report from U 957 (Schaar) , sixth operation ("Greif").
7 September 1944 Put out from Hammerfest.
2 October Put in to Hammerfest.
5 October
13 - 14 September
15 September
16 September
17 September
Put in to Narvik.
Proceeded via AF 88 to Kara Sea.
Operated submerged off che entrance to
Dikson.
Sighted patrol vessels and "Catalina.
Shipping consisted of several vessels
and 2 steamers .
Proceeded by the outer route to
rendezvous at Belukha as ordered, group
radio frequency.
Conference with "Lange", "Mangold" and
Franze
ti
Refuelled.
18 September
Proceeded via Russki on ico-rcconnaissanco
of Wilkitzk . Operated on castbound
convoy in XA 4998. 3 stoancrs, 4 escort
vessels. Radio messages not heard.
Hauled ahoad through icefields as far
Chelyuskin. Strong drifting ico
prevents our improving attack position.
Tried to approach. Curve shot ,odcd
prematurely. Hydrophone pursuit by 4
-1,557-
CONFIDENT IAL
19 September
20 September
21 September
22 September
23 September
24 September
27 September
escort vessels. Periscope unserviceable.
Escaped after 7 hours, meanwhile
approaching Y/ilkitzki. Strong rift
made us stick in new ice formation.
Managed to get clear with damaged bow-
caps •
Belukha: refuelled "Mangold". Decided
to continue as shadower and ice recon-
naissance boat. Only 2 torpedoes clear
for operating as repairs to bow-caps
were unsuccessful.
Escort group sailed over us. Pursued
it, turned off east. Exchanged recognition
signals with Russki signal station,
deception successful.
Convoy sighted in XA 4978 to west.
Shadowed convoy. In XA 7219 curve shot
missed freighter. Unexplained miss.
In XA 7182 fired curve shot at "Grosn;
class destroyer and sank it , No more
tubes able to fire. Continued to
shade Escorts observed several tir.
in fog. As a result of continuous 1
water content in oil 12$. Broke off
operations •
Carried out operation at radio station
at Sterlegova . Took prisoner
Captured code and cipher rial.
Recalled.
Returned via Jclaniya.
Comments by Car; tain U-boats, Norway:
The execution of reconnaissance and landing operations and
the convoy attacks in shallow waters with difficult ice
conditions resulted in the award of the "Knight's Cross"
to the commander.
Successes :
1 lestroyer sunk. Sterlegova radio station dc-stroyed.
luablo coding information acquired and prisoners
:turcd.
Z' _ ~: e in "-'z :--.., Norway I.'.cst Secret
- 5205 -
1.
-1,558-
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